McLaren Dominates Austrian Grand Prix Standings
As the Austrian Grand Prix approaches, McLaren finds itself in a commanding position at the top of both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Oscar Piastri leads the team to the circuit, with McLaren boasting a rich history in Austria. The team is tied with Ferrari for the most victories in the GP of Austria, including triumphs by local hero Niki Lauda and other notable drivers like Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen, and David Coulthard.
McLaren’s Competitive Spirit Amidst Internal Rivalry
McLaren has allowed its drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, to compete fiercely. Team principal Zak Brown emphasized the importance of “competing hard, competing cleanly, without contact.” This approach was evident in Canada, where Piastri and Norris collided, though McLaren intends to maintain this strategy.
“What happened in Canada wasn’t ideal, but we can still compete and fight for the championship individually,” Piastri stated.
Norris reflected on the incident, emphasizing its positive impact on McLaren’s team cohesion: “That unfortunate moment was actually a positive. The confidence and honesty Oscar and I share are crucial for maintaining our strength as a team. We don’t want to experience the same downfall that many other teams have faced in the past.”
Max Verstappen’s Pursuit of Home Victory
Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 champion and winner of the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023, currently ranks third in the drivers’ standings with 155 points. He aims to secure another home victory at the Red Bull-owned circuit.
“It’s always a great weekend in Austria. We’ve had many strong results, and hopefully, we can have another strong performance there,” Verstappen said.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, however, refrained from making bold predictions:
“Our current weakness might be medium-speed corners. Austria has some medium-speed sections, so we’ll see how it goes. If it’s hot, I expect McLaren to be stronger. There’s still a significant points gap between us, but we won’t give up easily. We’re not even halfway there.”
Recent Winners and Pole Positions in Austria
Last Five Grand Prix Winners in Austria
- 2024 – George Russell (Mercedes)
- 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2020 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Last Five Pole Positions in Austria
- 2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2020 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Drivers’ and Constructors’ Standings Before Austria
Drivers’ Standings (Before Austria)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 198 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 176 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 155
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 136
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 104
Constructors’ Standings (Before Austria)
- McLaren – 374 points
- Mercedes – 199
- Ferrari – 183
- Red Bull Racing – 162
- Williams – 55
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the leading teams going into the Austrian Grand Prix? McLaren leads both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
- What is McLaren’s approach to internal driver rivalry? McLaren encourages healthy competition between Piastri and Norris, emphasizing hard but clean racing.
- Who are the recent winners of the Austrian Grand Prix? Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023; George Russell (Mercedes) won in 2024.
- What are Red Bull’s expectations for the Austrian Grand Prix? Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledges medium-speed corners as a potential weakness but remains optimistic.
