Norris 'Felt Sorry' for Ferrari After Austria Struggle

Lando Norris admitted he felt sorry for Ferrari after watching Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton slide from the front row to fifth and eighth at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Scuderia's Sunday unraveled in brutal heat as severe tire wear and a lack of straight-line speed left both drivers unable to fend off the chasing pack.

Why it matters:

The Red Bull Ring collapse arrives just one race after Hamilton's commanding Barcelona victory, exposing Ferrari's volatile form and underlying weaknesses. With Mercedes setting the pace and rivals capitalizing on every misstep, the Scuderia risks losing ground in both championships unless it cures its race-day contradictions.

The details:

• Front-row failure: Leclerc and Hamilton started second and third behind George Russell, but plummeted on a scorching afternoon with track temperatures in the early 60s °C.
• Swamped on track: The pair were overtaken by Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar, while Norris also demoted Leclerc after battling to find a way through.
• Power deficit: Norris noted Ferrari's lack of straight-line speed forced its drivers to "push like hell" through corners, shredding front tires and leaving them defenseless on the straights.
• Hamilton's verdict: The seven-time champion called the result a "reality check," conceding Mercedes holds a clear advantage and that Ferrari must keep developing, particularly on power.

What's next:

Ferrari is expected to press on with its second ADUO engine upgrade as it hunts for consistency and raw pace. With championship margins tightening, the team urgently needs to understand why its strong Saturday speed keeps evaporating when Sunday's lights go out.