After each Grand Prix, we present the RaceReport, offering you an exclusive and playful digital recap of the race weekend. Reporters André Venema and Bas Holtkamp bring you the latest from Spielberg!
CELEBRATION NUMBER
The first Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring in 2014 was a resounding success. The return of the classic to the F1 calendar drew a full house. However, a year later, the number of spectators on race day dropped from 90,000 to 55,000. The arrival of a Dutch teenager eventually brought salvation.
The idea was more or less born out of necessity: how do we fill the Red Bull Ring, home of Max Verstappen‘s employer, during the Grand Prix again? With a dedicated grandstand, affordable camping, and a packed program of activities for his fans, Verstappen, thanks in part to his successes, attracted tens of thousands of Dutch people to Spielberg. Ten years later, the color orange still dominates there, and for the world champion, the event in the Alps is his third home game after Zandvoort and Spa-Francorchamps.
The Austrian GP has grown into a celebration, full of music, culture, and plenty of drinks. The beer crates are in high demand in local supermarkets during the race weekend. The Red Bull organization welcomes the Dutch legion with open arms. Understandably, the Grand Prix brings an economic spin-off of tens of millions of euros to the local businesses in the Styria region.
With five victories (excluding three sprint races), Verstappen is the undisputed Lord of The Ring. Although the race was not sold out this year, it remains a favorite among Dutch fans. This is especially true for one couple who got married on one of the F1 campsites on Thursday, with the blessings of a real minister. Ein Prosit!
Highlights in Spielberg
Max’s Quote
‘Given the current state of affairs, it’s not very realistic to think that we can still turn things around. It’s actually a miracle that I’m third in the championship. I want to focus first on the steps we can still take this season. Next year is always a question mark, this season has no influence on that. Someone who has it all together now, doesn’t necessarily have it all together next year.’
TOP & FLOP
Who excelled and who fell short during the race weekend in Austria? Here are our top and flop picks from Spielberg!
TOP
Lando Norris
He was the fastest in every session he participated in, even missing the first free practice. Hats off to Lando Norris, who stood head and shoulders above the rest this weekend. Particularly impressive was the resilience he showed after the foolish mistake that led to his dropout in Canada. All this, plus closing the gap on teammate and World Championship leader Oscar Piastri, makes Norris the star of the Red Bull Ring.
FLOP: Carlos Sainz
Admittedly, it’s a close call, this dubious honor could have just as easily gone to Yuki Tsunoda. After all, he also made a mess of things in Austria. So why is Carlos Sainz singled out as the biggest flop? Because he failed to get off the mark at the start, which only added to the disappointment of this weekend for the Spaniard. He was brought into Williams with much fanfare and his skills are beyond question. Yet, he was once again outperformed by Alex Albon (who also dropped out of the race), and Sainz also failed to get things right in the qualification. A flop, indeed. A turnaround needs to happen quickly.
BEHIND THE SCENES
A glimpse behind the scenes at the Austrian Grand Prix!
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Podium photo after the 2025 Austrian GP (Getty Images)
Race
Additional Observations from Spielberg
WIN: ONE OF THESE TWO POSTERS!
In collaboration with Automobilist.com, an official partner of Formula 1, FORMULA 1 Magazine is giving away luxury posters several times this season – true works of art! This time, it’s about special posters of Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher! (both 50×70 centimeters)
THREE QUESTIONS FOR… KIMI ANTONELLI
‘Finished with school, now full-time racing’
Kimi Antonelli has had two reasons to celebrate in recent weeks: in Montreal, he secured his first podium finish in F1, and back home in Bologna, he received the relieving phone call that he had passed his high school exams. “I would have felt guilty if I had quit just before the finish line,” he says.
Kimi, you’ve achieved one of your season’s goals with a podium finish in Canada. Does this boost your confidence?
“Canada was really significant for me. It was not only a huge relief, but also important because I had been close to the podium a few times earlier this season. In Australia, the first race, I was very close, and also in Miami, with the pole in the sprint race and P3 in the qualification. I just missed out then. To finally achieve that in Canada meant a lot. I think it also helps me as a driver to race more relaxed. I won’t lie: in the past weekends, I was perhaps a bit too tense in some situations, and sometimes too conservative – especially during the free practices. Now that I have achieved this result, it’s time to take the next step.”
You missed the premiere of the F1 movie in New York because you had final exams. But it was a sacrifice worth making.
“I’m super happy that I’ve completed my exams. Of course, I had to miss New York because of that, which was a shame – I’ve never been there and many people say it’s a great city. The event with the premiere also seemed incredibly cool. But I had to do something else that was just as important. It was crucial to finish this school trajectory, as I’ve been studying for all these years and it would have been a waste to stop just before the end. I think I would have felt guilty about that in the future, if I had quit just before the finish line. It wasn’t easy – combining studying with racing, especially now that I’m in F1, has been very tough. But I’m done. The chapter is closed and now I can fully focus on racing.”
Opportunities and Sacrifices in Professional Racing
“To be honest, not really. Of course, I don’t live like a typical 18-year-old, but I am doing what I love most, what I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. When I was younger and already karting, I was often away from home. As a result, I missed parties, birthdays, and time with friends. But as I grew older, I understood more and more that these are the sacrifices that come with it. If you have a real passion for something, you’re willing to make those sacrifices. And then it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. I don’t miss it now because I love racing, I love being on the track and with the team. I love the life I lead now, I don’t miss the other life.”
“Formula 1 is gearing up for a classic: the race weekend at Silverstone! The British Grand Prix has been a staple on the F1 calendar for many years, with passionate fans, a rich history, and unpredictable English weather. In 2024, the victory surprisingly went to Lewis Hamilton – will he triumph again on home soil this year? Below is the full schedule for the weekend in Great Britain.
Schedule for the British Grand Prix 2025
Friday, July 4
- First free practice: 11:30 – 12:30 UTC
- Second free practice: 15:00 – 16:00 UTC
Saturday, July 5
- Third free practice: 10:30 – 11:30 UTC
- Qualification: 14:00 – 15:00 UTC
Sunday, July 6
- Race: 14:00 UTC
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