Norris Gains Momentum with Austria Win Ahead of Silverstone Home Race

F1 News | June 29, 2025

Lando Norris heads into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone brimming with confidence after a hard-fought victory in Austria — his third win of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The McLaren driver held off a fierce challenge from teammate Oscar Piastri to take the top step of the podium at the Red Bull Ring. The result not only cut his points deficit to Piastri in the championship but also reinforced Norris' steady comeback after a shaky start to the year.

Speaking after the race, Norris described the win as “fulfilling” and “a big confidence boost” ahead of his home race.

“It’s not that I suddenly turned up and performed. I’ve been working harder than ever, spending more time in the simulator, with the engineers, improving everything,” said Norris. “To see that effort pay off like this — it’s a good feeling.”

Turning Point in the Title Fight?

The Austrian GP may prove to be a critical turning point in McLaren’s internal battle. Piastri had outperformed Norris in the first half of the season, with more wins and pole positions. But Norris’ recent form — with victories in Monaco and now Austria — suggests the British driver is mounting a serious comeback.

In Austria, he secured pole position with the biggest margin of the year and controlled the race under immense pressure. The battle with Piastri was tight, including a dramatic wheel-to-wheel moment at Turn Four where the Australian nearly collided with his teammate after locking up.

“Locking up and nearly hitting Lando was definitely pushing it too far,” admitted Piastri. “We’re both fighting for wins, but it has to stay clean.”

Lessons from Canada, Progress in Austria

The win also helped Norris move past the disappointment of the Canadian GP, where he crashed into Piastri and retired from the race. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called that incident a “benign misjudgment” and praised Norris for bouncing back strongly.

“The pace has been there all along,” Stella explained. “It was just about refining the execution — and Austria showed that Lando’s done exactly that.”

Behind the scenes, McLaren introduced a tweak to the front suspension aimed at giving Norris more steering feel — something he had struggled with compared to Piastri. That change, while not boosting outright speed, has helped Norris extract more from the car, especially in qualifying.

Silverstone: A Special Weekend for Norris

Next up is Silverstone, the race Norris calls his “favourite weekend of the year.” It’s his home race, and with momentum on his side, expectations are high.

“There’s always pressure in F1,” Norris said. “But Silverstone is more of a positive distraction than pressure. It puts a smile on my face — and I want to win it more than any other race.”

McLaren will face tough competition from Mercedes and Red Bull at the high-speed Silverstone circuit. But with a strong aerodynamic upgrade introduced in Austria, and a car that thrives in medium-speed corners, they’re looking competitive.

Stella acknowledged that the Red Bull Ring played to McLaren’s strengths — but believes the team is making genuine gains. “It’s not just track-specific,” he said. “It’s a step forward.”

Looking Ahead

As Norris gears up for his home Grand Prix, the 2025 Formula 1 season is heating up. The McLaren teammates are now locked in a close championship battle, and with ten races to go, every result matters.

For now, Norris is focused, motivated, and hungry for more. With a fired-up home crowd at Silverstone and momentum on his side, the British driver could be ready to take his campaign to the next level.