Max Verstappen set the pace in lone FP1 in F1 Austrian GP sprint weekend despite a scare, as he led Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
The only FP1 session in F1 Austrian GP sprint weekend was a hectic one for the drivers and teams, as they had just the one run to sort out their car for the weekend. Even though the parc ferme is thrown open, they still need to secure the tyre data in the practice session.
It was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on top with a 1m05.685s lap on the soft compound, despite a scare midway with his power unit. He stopped at the main straight to bring out the red flag, but it was only a small stop for the Dutchman.
As he got back on track not long after the green flag. He led McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (1m05.961s), where the F1 team shuffled the new front wing between him and Lando Norris throughout the session to understand the differences.
The Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc (1m06.055s) and Carlos Sainz slotted in third and fourth after all the three did their lap on the soft tyre. The Monegasque had another run-in in practice as he and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg went racing early on.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was fifth after a strong lap on the hard compound, where the Brit had an off moment on run-off. His teammate George Russell was eighth on the hard tyre too, but his fast lap on the soft tyre was hampered by Stake F1 Team’s Zhou Guanyu.
Alpine continued its fine form after Esteban Ocon was sixth ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. The Top 10 was rounded out by Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, where the Japanese driver complained of steering issue.
The Japanese also had a moment of save against Williams’ Alexander Albon, who unknowingly came in his way. Alpine’s Pierre Gadly was 11th after his Turn 1 moment, as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was only 12th after his quick lap was disrupted.
He had his lap on the medium compound, with McLaren’s Norris in 13th after his lap on the hard tyre. The Brit tried the soft tyre but ran off at Turn 4, while early on he complained about his steering too. The pair of Stake F1 Team slotted in 14th and 15th.
It was Guanyu ahead of Valtteri Bottas on the soft tyre, with Visa Cash App RB’s Daniel Ricciardo in 16th from Haas’ Hulkenberg. Williams’ Albon was 18th after his quick lap on medium despite running the soft tyre early on to set a quick lap.
Both of their teammates Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Williams’ Logan Sargeant slotted in 19th and 20th, with the Dane having multiple moments – one at the start of the lap and the other being at the final corner of the circuit.
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