As the clock struck zero on the second segment of qualifying at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, and Q3 loomed over the paddock, one could not help but feel that the most consequential 12 minutes of the 2025 season yet were on the horizon.
Lando Norris, after missing FP1 as McLaren gave young developmental driver Alex Dunne a chance to run in practice, had dominated the time sheets over the next two practice sessions, as well as during both Q1 and Q2. But this was a scenario the paddock had seen before this season, weeks where Norris looked the prohibitive favorite for pole position until a wobble, a slip-up, a mistake in Q3 opened the door for one of his rivals, doors drivers like Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri were more than happy to storm through.
And with this Q3 session coming on the heels of Norris’ mistake in the closing act of the Canadian Grand Prix, where the anticipated on-track clash with Piastri left Norris without a front wing, and out of the race, Q3 took on added importance for the McLaren driver.
This time, he slammed the door shut.
Norris delivered the lap he needed when he needed it most, storming to pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix. While an ill-timed spin from Pierre Gasly brought out a quick yellow flag, hampering the final push laps from both Verstappen and Piastri, both drivers conceded it would have been nearly impossible to best Norris on this day.
Asked if it was a “perfect” lap in the post-qualifying press conference, Norris stated that it was as close as he could ask for.
“Always impossible to say, but as close as I would probably ask for,” started Norris in the FIA Press Conference. “You know, in all the places I could be close to being in the gravel or over the limit, I feel like I was. So, it was a very good lap. I think I improved in every corner and, especially around here, with the high speed in Turn 6, Turn 7, 9, and 10, especially in quali, you’ve got to commit, and it’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.
“So, yeah, again, rewarding when things go right like they did today. And to put the laps in that I did today, I was very happy with. So, yeah, it was a fun qualifying.”
As always, Norris remains his harshest critic, even on an afternoon like this one. Self-reflection is a trait he displays after every session, and this one was no different. The McLaren driver stressed that the F1 season is a “long journey,” and that being a hero today will not make his season.
“I mean, it’s very satisfying, but, again, it’s about consistency. Everyone can be a hero in one weekend,” added Norris. “It’s progress. It’s steps forward. I’m very happy with today, but it’s still a long journey. It’s a long season. The job I needed to do today, I did. And it doesn’t make up for the last few weekends or anything, but I did it today, and that’s what mattered. So, yeah, very satisfied and happy for putting it together when I needed to.”
However, Norris did admit that today’s result, along with his performances already this week, give him confidence heading into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
“I’m starting in the best position. But we’ve been good since the first laps I did in FP2. We’ve been competitive, and I’ve been feeling confident and comfortable in the car,” Norris said. “We’ve had some upgrades on the car this weekend, which is our first proper set of upgrades for the whole season. So, we’ve waited a good amount of time to apply them, and from what I see today, it looks like it’s definitely moved us in the right direction – especially on a circuit where there’s only eight corners really. So, yeah,
“I’m confident we can still have a good race tomorrow, but it’s a long one and plenty of things can happen.”
Plenty of things can happen, but on Saturday at Red Bull Ring Norris delivered the laps he needed, when he needed them most.
Will they prove a turning point in the 2025 title fight?
