P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Austria F1 driver ratings: Has this under pressure midfield star saved his career?
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Lando Norris put on a flawless performance, closing the championship gap with teammate Oscar Piastri to 15 points. Norris secured pole position with an impressive margin of over 0.5 seconds in qualifying. His exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing skills helped him maintain the lead over Piastri and clinch the victory. This strong showing was crucial for Norris ahead of his upcoming home race at Silverstone.
Oscar Piastri, while being outperformed by Norris in qualifying, showcased a competitive spirit during the race. Piastri managed to pass Charles Leclerc on Lap 1 and challenged Norris for 20 laps but couldn’t overtake him. Despite a strong effort, Piastri faced an uphill battle for victory after the pit stops.
Charles Leclerc had another solid weekend in Austria, securing a front-row start and earning his fourth podium finish of the year. Considering McLaren’s dominance, Leclerc’s performance was commendable.
Lewis Hamilton showed improvement in one-lap pace with Ferrari this season but acknowledged the need to enhance his race performance. Hamilton’s struggles in races, compared to his qualifying speed, were uncharacteristic for the seven-time world champion.
George Russell maximized the Mercedes W15’s potential despite challenging pace, finishing ahead of Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto. The Mercedes team faced difficulties in the scorching conditions during the middle stint.
Liam Lawson stood out as the standout driver of the weekend, outqualifying Max Verstappen and securing a top-six finish. Lawson faced adversity during the race but still delivered a strong result, marking a significant improvement from his earlier races.
