The recent qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix has left fans and teams buzzing with excitement. With high stakes and close competition, drivers pushed their cars to the limit, giving everyone an incredible show. Here’s what the drivers and teams had to say after the nail-biting qualifying at the Red Bull Ring.
Drivers’ Reactions and Insights
McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance, securing pole position with a time of 1:03.971. Norris expressed his delight, saying, "I’m really pleased with that. My first lap was good, but I knew I could find more, and I did. It’s been a great weekend so far, and I hope to keep it up in the race." His teammate Oscar Piastri also showed strong pace, finishing third. Piastri described his session as frustrating, mainly due to an incident that limited his chances. "Gasly spun in front of me during my last lap, which brought out yellow flags. I believe we had the speed to be on the front row, so I am confident for the race," he commented.
Ferrari was optimistic after Charles Leclerc qualified second, just behind Norris. Leclerc acknowledged the team's effort, noting, "We brought some upgrades here, and the result reflects our hard work. Starting on the front row is promising, and we’ll aim to use this pace to challenge for victory." Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also had positive comments, with Hamilton finishing fourth and noting improvements following overnight changes to the car.
Team Perspectives and Battle for the Front
Mercedes’ George Russell was realistic about the weekend, stating, "This circuit is tough for us, especially because of the high-speed corners and abrasive tarmac. P5 is probably our maximum today, but we are targeting better results in the race. The gap between us and the top seems close, so we’re hopeful of fighting for some points."
The Red Bull team faced challenges during qualifying, with Max Verstappen finishing seventh. Verstappen was candid, saying, "It’s been difficult this weekend, especially with grip and balance issues. The hot weather didn’t help, and I had to abort a lap due to a spin. We’ll analyze everything and push hard in the race." Yuki Tsunoda struggled more, ending 18th, and expressed his frustration. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic and determined to improve, stating, "We need to understand what happened today and work on getting the car better for tomorrow."
Other drivers, such as Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, also shared their thoughts. Hülkenberg was disappointed with his position at 20th after a mistake, but he remains focused on fighting back during the race. Bortoleto qualified eighth and voiced his excitement for his first appearance in Q3, feeling that the team's hard work is beginning to pay off.
The Austrian GP’s qualifying has been tight and competitive, with most drivers expressing their readiness for a challenging race day. The unique layout of the Red Bull Ring, with its elevation changes and fast straights, continues to test every driver’s skill, promising an engaging race ahead. Fans are eager to see how the starting grid will play out and who will emerge victorious in this crucial race in the season’s championship battle.
