Red Bull home game flop: Verstappen disaster in Spielberg-Norris shines in front of Piatri

After his lightning-out at the Red Bull home game, Max Verstappen drew the helmet from the head and trotted back from the gravel bed towards the garage. The four-time Formula 1 world champion experienced a disaster before the eyes of corporate sizes like Jürgen Klopp after a crash in the play mountain’s opening round.

The collision with Mercedes Teenager Kimi Antonelli robbed Verstappen from Startpunkt seven of all chances to limit the damage at the Grand Prix of Austria. “I’m outside, I was hit like crazy … idiots,” the Dutch scolded before he had Anonelli explained the blackout at the scene of the accident.

Norris again in top form after his crash

WM leader Oscar Piatri came to the finish line with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who celebrated his third win of the season, after a strong finish. However, the Australian now has a whopping 61 points more than shocked and still 15 more than Norris, who showed himself in excellent constitution two weeks after his crash-out in Canada.

Charles Leclerc in Ferrari grabbed the last podium. The last rank Nico Hülkenberg ran a strong race in the kick Sauber and scored points again as ninth.

Klopp, Mintzlaff, Mateschitz

At the event in Styria, the management of the Red Bull cosmos was of course not missing – even if, of course, she would have liked anything but a single trip of the dominant McLaren duo.

The son of the co -founder Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz, who died in October 2022, appeared on the side of his partner Victoria Swarovski in bright sunshine.

Formula 1 to 2041 in Spielberg

With Red Bull Managing Director Oliver Mintzlaff, the global football boss took a walk through the starting line-up before the red traffic lights went. The Grand Prix of Austria, which remains in Formula 1 calendar until the end of 2041, is a Red Bull compulsory event.

But even the long-time Formula 1 managing director Bernie Ecclestone did not miss the eleventh season run. And first had to see how the start after a technical defect had to be canceled from Carlos Sainz. When Williams also caught fire at the beginning of the pit exit, the Grand Prix was already over for the Spaniard.

“I’m sorry for the team and for Max”

It couldn’t be much worse for Red Bull. Because Verstappen only managed to curve three. Antonelli breathe and unintentionally pushed the five-time Austria winner off the asphalt. “I didn’t want to do anything, I just wanted to keep my position,” said the 18-year-old Mercedes driver after his serious mistake when he lost the rear. “I’m sorry for the team and for Max.”

It was the first failure of Verstappen since the third stage in 2024 in Australia. At the end of this season, he was at the top in the World Cup ranking for the fourth time. That should have been the last time for Verstappen for the time being. Because the Red Bull has long since lost its exceptional position. It is not for nothing that it is speculated that Verstappen could leave the racing team prematurely by the end of 2028. Mercedes is interested.

“The car is completely wrong. I don’t know what to say,” said Verstappen during the qualification about his stubborn company car. Yellow flags cost him one last quick round, which is why he only went into the race from seventh.

The Pole grabbed Norris in front of Leclerc and Piatri with a clear lead. “Half a second is a really big wadding,” said Red Bull motor sports consultant Helmut Marko about the hammer round of Norris. He was able to defend his leadership after the start. Piatri immediately conceded Leclerc in the first curve and then hunting his English teammate.

And what a hunt that was! Again and again Norris and Piatri bike raced on bike. The Australian finally seemed over in round eleven, but Norris countered. The breath of the McLaren fans caught when Piatri braked and almost crashed into the Englishman in circulation 20. Immediately afterwards Norris came to the box and returned fourth with hard tires.

Despite the free journey, Piatri was not able to develop a decisive lead. After his pit stop in the 25th round, Norris took the lead again and controlled the field. Nothing changed on the ranking at the forefront even after the second garage visits.

But Norris had to worry again. “I need pace, please help me,” the Englishman sparked almost desperately because he stuck out in traffic when he got around. In the end, it was still enough for him.