Former Toro Rosso teammates Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz had a short-lived outing at the Austrian GP. While Sainz could not even start the race, Verstappen did not complete even one lap. Both incidents can be put down to bad luck. So let’s discover what exactly happened to Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at the 2025 Austrian GP.
Carlos Sainz could not start the race
As the Austrian GP formation lap got underway, one car did not seem to pull away. This was Carlos Sainz’s Williams in P19. While some fans online joked that the Spaniard was looking to pull a Sonny Hayes-type move from the new F1 movie, his problems seemed genuine.
The 30-year-old came over the team radio and said:
“The car is stuck in first gear.”
“Something is stopping the car from moving forward. Car is stuck.”
As the race start was aborted, Sainz was able to move, and pulled into the pit lane. While standing at the end of it, both of Sainz’s rear brakes caught on fire. The suspected issue was a mechanical failure in the rear brakes, meaning they were stuck on. The Spaniard was shortly told to jump out of the car, ending his race before it even started.
Max Verstappen’s 2025 title bid take major hit at Austrian GP
Max Verstappen’s day was no less worse. This race lasted just three corners. He was collected by Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes in turn 3 on lap one. The Dutchman had started P7 but had a quick start and was already looking to fight with the cars ahead.
But an already unlucky weekend got even worse for the reigning world champion when Antonelli misjudged his braking and collected the Red Bull, ending both their races. The rear of Verstappen’s car was completely broken, as he jumped out.
“I’m out. I got hit like crazy. F**king idiots,” said an angry Verstappen over the team radio.
But he seemed calmer while talking to Antonelli after the incident, as the teenager seemingly apologized for his mistake.
The pair colliding was ironic, especially coming the same weekend when Toto Wolff has confirmed being interested in bringing Verstappen to Mercedes. The Dutchman could well swoop Antonelli’s race seat in 2026.
This was a major moment in the 2025 drivers’ title fight, as Verstappen’s hopes took a major hit at the Red Bull Ring. He is now 46 points behind Lando Norris in second, and a further 15 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Both McLaren drivers provided a brilliant battle at the front of the field in the opening laps of the race. The best case scenario for Verstappen would have been to see the two Papaya cars come together. But the two showcased brilliant race craft, as Norris held out Piastri to claim his third race of the season.
The title fight now looks to be between the two McLaren drivers. Verstappen can always make a comeback, but not if the McLarens continue being the quickest cars on the field.
