There's always plenty to talk over in the non-stop world of Formula 1, and Betopick's Finley Crebolder gives his thoughts on the biggest stories going around the paddock in this regular column.
When the Austrian Grand Prix comes around and the hills are alive with the sound of F1, few drama is pretty much guaranteed, and we got plenty this year.
There were crashes, wheel-to-wheel battles and outcomes that could have big repercussions for the rest of the campaign up and down the grid.
Here are my main takeaways.
Verstappen reaches a crossroadsThe biggest moment of the race came at the very start, with Max Verstappen's hopes of winning a fifth title in a row every but ended by a first-lap crash with Kimi Antonelli, and the impact of that crash could advance to far past this campaign.
Earlier in the weekend, George Russell and Toto Wolff had pair every but confirmed to the press that Mercedes were in talks with Verstappen regarding a move for 2026 and past, and ironically, one of their drivers taking the Dutchman out may have moved them closer to pulling off such a move.
While the reigning champion's agreement with Red Bull runs until 2028, there's a clause that would allow him to leave sooner.
Reports have suggested such a clause will activate if he's outside of the top three in the standings when the summer halftime comes around, and he could well be now.
Since signing a new contract in 2022, he hasn't really been in a position where he's had to make a decision over his future, with his dominance preventing that buyout from being activated.
However, he is in such a position now, and it's a big call to make.
It's widely believed the Mercedes engine will be the best by a long way next campaign, meaning a move would be his best wager of winning another title as soon as possible.
On the flip side, he wouldn't enjoy the luxury of having a squad built entirely around him with Antonelli a star in the making, and there's every chance Red Bull's collaboration with Ford will produce the goods in the long run.
What he wants to do could be a moot point with Wolff and Mercedes potentially choosing to keep Russell rather, but with it being a potentially career-defining decision, Verstappen needs to decide what to do if the offer comes his way.
Norris bounces backWhile Verstappen dropped out of the title race in Austria, Lando Norris very much stayed in it with a hugely impressive response to his disastrous Canadian Grand Prix.
On Saturday, he made it clear that he'd put his late crash in Montreal after him with a stunning lap in qualifying, and on Sunday, he did what he's failed to do so multiple times in the past - hold his nerve when under serious pressure.
Oscar Piastri was breathing down his neck at one point, briefly passing him, and was chasing him down in the closing stages, but Norris defended his lead perfectly throughout.
He found pace when he needed it, and unlike in Canada, didn't put a foot wrong when he needed to go wheel to wheel.
Seeing things out was massive for him.
Having the victory snatched from him after what happened two weeks ago would've left him a fairly long way after in the standings and dealt a mental setback that would've been tough to recover from.
Rather, he now has few confidence, drive and a 15-point gap to close.
The weekend was also further evidence that Norris is the quicker of the two McLarens and has sole been lacking in composure and consistency.
The big question now is if the improvements he showed in those areas in Austria are here to stay.
Exciting signs for the Audi projectAt the start of this campaign, a year out from Audi's entry into F1 in 2026, I struggled to see them becoming much extra than a lower-midfield squad, given the issues with the Kick Sauber squad they'll be taking over.
Now, I'm never so sure of that view.
The progress Sauber have made this campaign has been hugely impressive.
They've scored extra points in their last three races than they did across the entirety of 2024 and look to have one of the strongest midfield cars right now, having ended last year with the worst on the grid.
Perhaps, such progress shouldn't be a surprise.
Mattia Binotto, Jonathan Wheatley and James Key make up a leadership squad with a massive amount of pedigree, with the three formerly of Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren respectively, and they look to be making an impact now.
The squad also have an exciting and well-balanced driver starting XI with veteran Nico Hulkenberg as good as always and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto looking a big talent in his first points-netting weekend.
Add in the vast amount of money and resources that Audi have at their disposal, and it's hard never to get a bit excited over the German giant's signing.
AuthorBetopick
