Austrian Grand Prix recap: Norris lifts McLaren, Red Bull humbled at home

Lando Norris (2R) celebrates on the podium next to second-placed Piastri (L), third placed Charles Leclerc (R) after Austrian GP (Pic: AFP)

A smiling Lando Norris returned home from Austria alongside his jubilant McLaren team, as opposed to the somber mood enveloping Red Bull. Buoyed by a flawless drive that secured a commanding McLaren 1-2, Norris heads into next weekend's British Grand Prix brimming with confidence.

His win not only erased the sting of his collision with team-mate Oscar Piastri in Canada but also reignited his championship hopes. With a decent home support expected at Silverstone, Norris eyes an opportunity to slash or even overturn Piastri's current 15-point advantage at the summit of the standings.

Red Bull's nightmare on their own stage

Sunday brought a humiliating turn for Red Bull, as their remarkable 77-race points streak came to a jarring halt on home turf. That run had formed the bedrock of their dominant, title-laden campaigns. The abrupt end was made all the more painful as it happened at the Red Bull Ring, which is the circuit they own, before throngs of Dutch fans clad in the unmistakable orange of the Max Verstappen faithful.

For Verstappen, it also shattered a personal sequence of 31 consecutive points finishes. Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda could do no better than a distant 16th, last of the classified runners. Liam Lawson, who had been relegated to Racing Bulls after a brief promotion, salvaged some pride with sixth. With Verstappen now trailing Piastri by a daunting 61 points and following the exits of technical mastermind Adrian Newey and key figure Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull faces an uphill struggle to consistently challenge for wins.

Norris's introspection bears fruit

Norris's Austrian victory was a testament to meticulous self-reflection and clinical execution. Flawless under pressure, he harnessed every tool at his disposal to fend off Piastri's persistent early advances. The result sets the stage for a tantalising intra-team duel for the drivers' crown, with Norris primed for what promises to be an emotionally charged homecoming at Silverstone.

Sauber's surge signals Audi's ambition

Further down the order, Sauber offered a glimpse of their burgeoning potential under Audi's looming stewardship. Although Gabriel Bortoleto couldn't quite overhaul his mentor, two-time champion Fernando Alonso, to claim seventh, his eighth-place finish, ahead of team-mate Nico Hulkenberg. Now under the direction of Wheatley, fresh from Red Bull, Sauber have already amassed 26 points this season. That tally brings them within striking distance of Aston Martin, Haas, and Racing Bulls. It's a stark contrast to last year, when they remained scoreless until the penultimate round in Qatar, ending with just four points.

(With AFP inputs)