DNF for Max in Austrian Grand Prix: 'These things happen'

Published on 29 June 2025 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen failed to finish the Austrian Grand Prix after a collision with the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap. The Italian rookie locked his brakes in the run up to turn three and collected the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver on the exit of the corner. At the front, Lando Norris took the chequered flag after a tense battle with McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc completed the top three in his Ferrari.

“We had a good start, definitely a better one compared to the past few races, but we were done after three corners. I got hit in the back and that was that”, reflected Max after his DNF. “But these things happen, Kimi and I already had a chat and things are okay. Nobody does these things on purpose. He is a great talent, and he’ll keep learning.”

The reigning champion added: “Of course it’s shame for all the fans, but this is racing. We’ve had great moments here so maybe we are a bit spoiled. Yesterday we were a bit unlucky in qualifying too, but on the whole, we just don’t have enough pace, so we have to analyse and have a better weekend next week.”

With McLaren scoring a  1-2 victory and Max failing to score points, his championship campaign appears to falter. “I’m honestly not thinking about that. We just take it race by race. There’s is definitely more in it, but we need to see if we can find the pace. Everyone gives a 100% and that’s the only thing we can keep doing.”

On a positive note, Max’s GT3 team successfully contested the Spa 24 Hours. “We were ninth overall; and first in the gold category, which is a really great result, especially since this is our first entry in a 24 hour race.”

Although the race is scheduled to start a 2pm local time, the start of the race is delayed when Carlos Sainz is unable to leave his grid slot on the formation lap. The Williams has locked its brakes. Eventually the Spaniard makes it back to the pits, by which point the brakes have overheated and are on fire, denying Sainz to even start the race.

After a fifteen-minute delay, the race gets underway with Norris successfully defending his pole position after Leclerc enjoys a good start and pressures the McLaren into turn one. Piastri makes the most of Leclerc’s failed attempt to overtake Norris and slots in behind his teammate in second.

Meanwhile, Max enjoys a clean start and is positioning himself to fight for positions five and six when Antonelli crashes into the back of the Dutchman on the exit of turn three. The Mercedes driver breaks his front suspension on impact as Max’s car stalls as a result of the collision. The incident marks the end of both drivers’ races.

After a brief safety car, the race resumes on lap four with Norris leading Piastri, Leclerc and Hamilton. The McLaren duo quickly create a gap to the Ferrari and start their own private battle for the lead.

The first stint serves up a particularly entertaining battle between the teammates with the pair strategically using the three DRS zones to battle for the win. After a near miss in turn four with Piastri locking up and nearly hitting the back of Norris, the latter makes his first pit stop of the race on lap 21. Four laps later, Piastri follows but Norris remains the leader after the first cycle of stops is completed.

Norris makes his final stop of the race on lap 53, with Piastri following suit a lap later. Norris retains first place and leads Piastri by four seconds with sixteen laps to go. Although both drivers have to work their way past several back markers, Norris keeps his head cool to clinch his third win of the season. The Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton are best of the rest in third and fourth. George Russell completes the top five with Liam Lawson scoring his best Formula 1 result to date with sixth place in the Racing Bull. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto scores his first points of his F1 career by finishing eighth.

Results Grand Prix Austria: