McLaren Dominates Austrian GP as Red Bull Concedes Championship
In a dramatic turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen’s title hopes took a significant hit after being knocked out on the opening lap by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This incident left Verstappen trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 61 points, prompting Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko to acknowledge that the championship may be lost.
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured victory, showcasing the team’s superior pace by finishing ahead of his teammate Piastri, who took second. The McLaren duo’s performance marked a stark contrast to Red Bull’s struggles, raising eyebrows about the current competitiveness of the team.
Marko expressed his concerns about the championship outlook, stating, "This was a performance that forces us to write off the championship. This kind of gap is incredibly difficult to recover." He emphasized that Red Bull’s updates, expected over the next two races, must deliver significant improvements in order to re-establish their dominance.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, echoed these sentiments: “It’s become a two-horse race. We are focusing one race at a time. Our aim is to perform well at Silverstone and build from there.” He praised the McLaren team for their achievements, acknowledging the uphill battle Red Bull faces.
Verstappen, meanwhile, accepted Antonelli’s apology for the collision, but the incident has underlined the severity of the challenge he now faces in the championship chase. Horner acknowledged the need for Red Bull to adapt and improve: “We have the same fundamental group of people who designed a car that won every Grand Prix 18 months ago. It’s about working smarter moving forward.”
The pressure on Red Bull mounts as the season progresses, with just 13 races left to navigate.
