Formula 1 heads to Austria this week, where Red Bull was born to give you wings. McLaren is still dominating in the Constructor’s Championship lead. However, they were noticeably kept off the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Mercedes dominated in Canada with George Russell winning the race and rookie Kimi Antonelli finishing in third place. Max Verstappen was sandwiched between the two Mercedes drivers with a second-place finish.
We’re at the 11th stop of the season and this will be an interesting one to watch, between McLaren bouncing back and seeing if Red Bull can win their home race.
Let’s get it.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel)
Will McLaren Return to the Podium? I 2025 Austrian Grand Prix Picks
Mercedes and Red Bull saw a glimmer of hope after shutting out McLaren from a podium finish. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were put out after a late-race collision that kept them from a top-three finish, although Piastri was fourth.
The Austrian Grand Prix is another storied race. As the home to Red Bull, all eyes are most certainly on them. It is similar to the energy towards Ferrari when at Imola (RIP) and especially Monza.
This track is one of the shortest in Formula 1 at 2.7 miles, so most issues typically arise in qualifying due to traffic concerns. It was also home to one of 2024’s most controversial races and the start of the Verstappen-Norris rivalry. Their exchange of blows led to a George Russell win, which could bode well for the driver coming off a win. The 2023 race was also interesting, with 47 qualifying times deleted and two drivers not committing a breach. Eight drivers earned penalties after Aston Martin filed a post-race protest.
The infamous Red Bull Ring is 2,300 feet above sea level. In terms of elevation, there is about 208 feet between the lowest and highest points of the track. There may be only 10 turns, but there is a mix of low, medium and high speed turns to break up the straights.
2025 Austrian Grand Prix Picks & Predictions
Mercedes is back in business, trailing McLaren in the Constructor’s Championship standings after a terrific Canadian Grand Prix performance. Verstappen looked like his old self as well, so I expect to see some momentum picked up in Red Bull country.
Rear tire overheating is certainly a concern on this track due to its age and traction on the straights. Therefore, it can be anyone’s race and the top three aren’t terrible bets to take for outrights. Another enticing bet to consider is Nico Hulkenberg of Kick Sauber with a top-ten finish, with his recent success in the past two races and solid history in Austria.
Oscar Piastri (+180)
Oscar Piastri’s recent form is simply red-hot. Coming off multiple podiums and a stellar qualifying performance in Barcelona, the Australian is continuing to prove that he’s a genuine threat. Yes, McLaren did not finish on the podium in Montreal, but Piastri still finished at P4.
As I’ve brought up most of the season, McLaren’s upgrades have clicked perfectly with his driving style. With Piastri’s confidence under braking and quickness around high-speed corners, he is particularly dangerous at a track like the Red Bull Ring.
With clean air and no team orders holding him back, Piastri could capitalize on Austria’s short lap and high tire degradation. However, keep a close eye on the qualifying session, as his ability to manage rubber over a race stint may be the deciding factor, especially if strategic chaos erupts mid-race. This has been shown by McLaren in previous Austrian races.
Lando Norris (+195)
If there’s one driver who has consistently chipped away at Red Bull’s dominance, it’s Lando Norris. Despite a tough finish in Montreal, he looks more dialed-in than ever. Austria’s layout, with heavy braking zones into Turns 1, 3, and 4, suits the Brit’s aggressive-yet-smooth driving.
Like anything else, questions may arise in his performance at qualifying, so keep an eye on this as well. He was lightning-quick in the sprint format last year, and he thrives on short, punchy laps that reward precision.
However, this is the first year Austria is not holding a sprint format at this track. If he nails qualifying and holds track position early, it’s tough to see anyone overtaking Norris, especially with McLaren’s newfound top-end speed.
Max Verstappen (+340)
Simply lovely. Despite a P2 finish last race, the odds have Max Verstappen as the third-highest outright and not the favorite.
Underestimate the Dutchman at your own risk; he’s won a record four times on his team’s home track. He always seems to find another gear in front of the sea of orange-clad Dutch fans.
Red Bull is picking it up, and he is the king of maximizing a less-than-perfect scenario. Particularly if the weather turns bad and/or there are strategy calls that come to play, Verstappen is a solid bet.
Top 6 Finish Predictions
- Max Verstappen
- Oscar Piastri
- Lando Norris
- Charles Leclerc
- George Russell
- Kimi Antonelli
Thank you for reading my 2025 Austrian Grand Prix picks and predictions! Follow me on Twitter/X @nrojo5 for more fantasy football & sports takes, including Formula 1. Simply, simply lovely.
*Photo Credit: Rula Rouhana/Reuters – USA TODAY Sports*
