Oscar Piastri will be looking to extend his lead further in the drivers’ standings at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Aussie moved 22 points clear of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the Canadian Grand Prix. While he finished off the podium for only the second time in 2025, the Brit retired from the race after colliding with Piastri on lap 67.

The 25-year-old attempted to pass on the inside heading into turn one, but hit Piastri’s rear left tyre and slammed into the wall. Aston Martin sim driver Daniel Juncadella says Norris is ‘getting worse and worse’ as his teammate pulls ahead in the standings.

Piastri lost P3 at the start of the race to Kimi Antonelli and struggled to make up ground in the dirty air. Mercedes teammate George Russell claimed his first win of the season in commanding fashion, beating rival Max Verstappen.

With five wins and three poles from the opening 10 races, Piastri will be a favourite for victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, as the fast-flowing nature of the Red Bull Ring suits the MCL39. However, Jolyon Palmer is not backing the Aussie for victory this weekend.

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Jolyon Palmer backs Max Verstappen to beat Oscar Piastri and win the Austrian Grand Prix

The Red Bull Ring has been a great hunting ground for Verstappen in the past, having grabbed four victories at the circuit. With it being Red Bull’s home race, which attracts a flood of Dutch fans every year, the four-time champion will be keen to capitalise and keep his title hopes alive.

Verstappen closed the gap to Piastri to 43 points in Canada with a solid display to P2. The 27-year-old is still firmly in the title race, given his ability to place the RB21 in positions it arguably should not be capable of, with two wins and three poles.

Speaking via F1 Nation, Palmer is backing the Red Bull driver for his third win of the season in Austria. He thinks the McLarens will follow behind, with Norris returning to the podium after a dismal weekend in Canada.

“I agree with the top three, but I think this is a Max win in Austria,” he said.

“So I’m going to go Max, Oscar, Lando, on the podium, getting the confidence back.”

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Max Verstappen risks a race suspension if he picks up one penalty point at the Austrian Grand Prix

Verstappen is in a good position to challenge for victory this weekend and take the fight to the McLarens. But Red Bull will have one thing hanging over them throughout the Austrian GP.

Verstappen is one penalty point away from a race ban, having racked up three for his collision with Russell at the Spanish GP. Another penalty point this weekend and the Dutchman will be sidelined for the British GP.

Red Bull feared Verstappen would be suspended in Austria, as their home race is significantly important to the brand and their fans. Now he has avoided a ban for the race, he must keep his head clear to avoid one for Silverstone, before two penalty points expire from his superlicence.

If Verstappen is suspended, Red Bull will likely use one of the Racing Bulls drivers, Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson, to stand in. Red Bull could also trial Ayumu Iwasa and get a look at what the Japanese driver can offer the team over a full race weekend.