One driver suffered his team’s worst-ever qualifying result in Austria

 

LANDO NORRIS reignited his title hopes as he bagged pole position in a sizzling qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix.

It feels like do or die for Norris in the title race this weekend, after losing huge ground to his teammate Oscar Piastri in Canada last time out.

Lando Norris celebrates after qualifying for pole position.
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Lando Norris took a dominant pole position at the Austrian Grand PrixCredit: Getty

Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri at the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying.
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Charles Leclerc finished in P2, while Oscar Piastri starts from third on SundayCredit: Getty
His crash into the back of Piastri left him out of the race with three laps to go and the Aussie driver, who finished fourth, increased his lead to the Brit in the championship by 22 points, with Max Verstappen 21 adrift of Norris in third.

Norris, 25, said: “It’s a long season and I still savour this moment, especially as some of my tougher moments have been in qualy.

“So to put in the lap like today, to put in the performance like I had, was pleasing for myself. I’m excited.

“I want to prove to to myself over and over again and hopefully this is the beginning of it.”

Verstappen suffered a nightmare afternoon in his home race, finishing in seventh with Red Bull out-qualified by their junior team as Liam Lawson came sixth.

In fairness to the four-time world champ, a yellow flag for Pierre Gasly scuppered Verstappen’s final lap in the dying moments.

Charles Leclerc separated the two McLarens with a second-place result ahead of Piastri in third as Lewis Hamilton claimed fourth.

There was a delay in Q2 due to a red flag after Ferrari‘s Hamilton ran onto the gravel and set fire to a patch of grass at turn 10.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing.
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Max Verstappen will start Red Bull’s home race from P7Credit: EPA

Russell survived the first session by the skin of his teeth as he squeezed through in 11th after a big error in the middle sector before ending up in fifth overall.

It was a disaster for Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull’s home race as he suffered another early exit in Q1 in 18th.

The Japanese driver has been 18th or lower in four of the last five qualifyings, which is a worrying trend.

His 18th result is also the WORST qualifying position in the history of Red Bull on their home turf.

It was an afternoon to forget for ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz who was axed all the way back in 19th, blasting his “undriveable” car.

The Spanish Williams driver has now racked up three consecutive Q1 exits this season.