After a hectic Canadian GP, the F1 paddock now moves to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian GP. The teams have had a weekend off and now head fresh into round 11 of the 2025 season. The weekend will be calmer than last year, as it is not a sprint weekend this time around. So, who is hot and who is not ahead of the 2025 Austrian GP?
George Russell converted his pole to win in Montreal, with Max Verstappen just behind. Kimi Antonelli claimed his first F1 podium, while the McLarens had a coming together behind. Ferrari also struggled, especially with Lewis Hamilton. But this will all now be left behind.
With the Red Bull Ring’s fast-flowing layout and Red Bull’s home advantage, Austria promises an intense weekend. So who enters in form, and who needs a wake-up call?
2025 F1 Austrian GP top picks – Who is hot and who is not?
Max Verstappen – Hot
Verstappen put away the hangover from Spain with a solid P2 finish in Canada. George Russell pipped him in qualifying and the race, but the weekend was largely positive for the Dutchman. So the reigning world champion is heading into the upcoming weekend in form.
The track is also one that he loves. Verstappen has claimed more victories in Austria than anyone else (5).
Red Bull has always been strong at their home venue ever since it returned to the calendar in 2014. The circuit characteristics bode well for them this year as well. Hence, a straight fight between Verstappen and the McLarens can be expected at the front.
Lewis Hamilton – Not Hot
Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari have continued. He has found more consistency in performance recently but ended the previous two races in an underwhelming fashion. One of his strongest tracks is Canada, but the Briton still struggled to get anywhere near teammate Charles Leclerc in the last race.
Ferrari will struggle to match the pace of McLaren and Red Bull at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton also does not have the greatest record at Austria and could struggle yet again.
Williams F1 Team – Hot
Williams has been strong on low-downforce tracks in recent years. The long straights at the Red Bull Ring could bring out the best in the FW47. They had an uncharacteristically poor outing in Canada, and will surely be motivated to bounce back at a track that suits their car.
After a superb point-scoring streak in 2025, Alex Albon has not finished the previous two races. Carlos Sainz also struggled in Barcelona and Canada. Both drivers could have a better weekend this time around in a Williams that should be quick.
Aston Martin F1 Team – Not Hot
Aston Martin’s biggest challenge this year has been the lack of straight-line speed. Fernando Alonso has also previously alluded to this. Well, a lack of top speed is a very major issue in Austria. The track features three long straights with DRS zones, punishing teams that are not quick.
Fernando Alonso has had a turn in form, having finished the last two races in the points. But the veteran may not be able to do too much if the car is a sitting duck on the straights.
The 2025 F1 season has been one with not too many overtakes, and qualifying has been crucial. But the Red Bull Ring has offered good races with multiple overtakes in recent years, and could do yet again.
