In one of the tightest grids in Formula 1 history, the pole battle for the Austrian Grand Prix surprised with Lando Norris’ gap of 0.531s to second-placed Charles Leclerc. Despite McLaren being the pre-event favorite, Norris’s performance was a shock. Max Verstappen, unable to complete the final Q3 run due to yellow flags, likely wouldn’t have closed the gap significantly anyway due to poor grip.
McLaren’s success in Austria can be attributed to several factors within their control. Team principal Andrea Stella highlighted the car’s optimized development focus, which allowed it to carry speed through certain corners more effectively. Norris’s skill in navigating the Red Bull Ring and resilience post-Montreal incident also played a crucial role in McLaren’s performance.
The team’s work on improving Norris’s feel for the car, including a revised front suspension option, showed results alongside aerodynamic upgrades. These upgrades, focusing on front-end improvements and overall chassis modifications, provided more aerodynamic efficiency and grip. McLaren’s continuous focus on performance development and upgrades has set them up for success in future races.
