The Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring was an action-packed weekend, delivering drama and a significant shake-up in the championship standings. Here's a detailed breakdown of Saturday's Sprint and Sunday's Grand Prix, along with key highlights:

Saturday: Sprint Race Results and Highlights (June 28, 2025)

Sprint Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) Max Verstappen continued his strong Sprint form by winning the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race. He started from pole position and, despite pressure from the McLarens, managed to hold on for the victory, securing valuable championship points.

Podium Finishers:

• 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

• 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren-Mercedes)

• 3rd: Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes)

Key Sprint Highlights:

• McLaren's Pace: McLaren showed impressive pace throughout the Sprint, with both Piastri and Norris battling Verstappen at various points. This hinted at their strong performance potential for the main race.

• Close Racing: The short format of the Sprint race often leads to intense battles, and Austria was no exception, with drivers pushing hard for positions and points.

• Points Distribution: The top eight finishers in the Sprint race are awarded points, making every position crucial.

Sunday: Grand Prix Race Results and Highlights (June 29, 2025)

Race Winner: Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes) Lando Norris delivered a masterful performance to win the Austrian Grand Prix, fending off a strong challenge from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. This marked Norris's third victory of the season and further solidified McLaren's strong form.

Podium Finishers:

• 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes)

• 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren-Mercedes)

• 3rd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Key Grand Prix Highlights:

• Verstappen's Early Exit: The biggest shock of the race came on the opening lap when Max Verstappen was eliminated after a collision with rookie Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes). Antonelli appeared to lose control of his car into Turn 3 and made contact with the rear of Verstappen's Red Bull, ending both their races prematurely. This was Verstappen's first non-finish of the season.

• McLaren 1-2: McLaren capitalized on Verstappen's retirement, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri engaging in a thrilling intra-team battle for the lead. Norris ultimately emerged victorious, securing a sensational 1-2 finish for McLaren, further boosting their constructor's championship challenge.

• Ferrari's Solid Performance: Charles Leclerc secured a valuable podium finish for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton, in his Ferrari, finished a strong fourth. This marked a decent points haul for the Scuderia.

• Bortoleto's First Points: Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto had an impressive race, finishing P8 and scoring his first-ever Formula 1 points. He had also made his first Q3 appearance in qualifying, showcasing promising talent.

• Carlos Sainz's DNF: Carlos Sainz (Williams) was unable to start the race after his rear brakes caught fire in the pit lane during the formation lap, forcing him to retire.

• Penalties and Incidents: The race saw several incidents and penalties, including Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) receiving a 10-second penalty for spinning Franco Colapinto (Alpine).

• Championship Implications: The results of the Austrian Grand Prix significantly altered the championship picture. Oscar Piastri now leads the Drivers' Championship, followed by Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen dropping to third after his DNF. McLaren also extended their lead in the Constructors' Championship.

Qualifying (Saturday): Lando Norris set a blistering lap to take pole position for the Grand Prix, half a second clear of second-placed Charles Leclerc, marking the biggest pole margin of the season.

• 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren)

• 2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

• 3rd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

• Max Verstappen qualified a surprising P7 after having to abandon his final flying lap due to yellow flags.

The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix truly lived up to its reputation for delivering exciting and unpredictable racing.