Sebastian Vettel is leading again a free practice session after his result this morning in Red Bull Ring. German driver finished in front of Hamilton and Räikkönen in a narrow gap. Any of them could try the supersoft compound due to a red flag and rain.
Cloudy sky and cold stroke Spielberg this morning. Far away from the warm climate awaited in Europe by this days, the drivers were still able to use dry tires. Every one of them were leaving the pit lane and Mercedes were strongly driving in Austrian track, setting the pace in lap times.
After first laps to warm up, Vettel and Hamilton were fighting for best times until Vettel set a 1:09.994 seventeen milliseconds faster than the English. Behind them, Räikkönen set himself in front of Rosberg and Williams started to show up with Massa and Bottas in fifth and sixth positions, in less than half a second.
Lotus were behind Williams, with an excellent Verstappen in front of them. Force India, Sainz and Red Bull were a second and a half behind the first cars. At half session first drivers were installing the supersoft tire, with Pérez being able to set himself in fourth position, two tenths behind Vettel. Alonso was then P13 and Verstappen stuck behind the Williams.
Everything was then killed because of another problem made in McLaren. Alonso stopped his car in middle of the main straight after breaking his change box. He will be able to change it for tomorrow but suffering a 25 grid place penalty, same as Button’s.
Red flag was being shaked by every flag marshall and until the green flag wasn’t deployed again, other cars could not get on their supersoft stints. But suddenly the rain appeared in Spielberg and even problems to maintain the car in the track were having place as rain was so heavy. Räikkönen could survive to a loss of control.
Every car on track stopped and Force India were first to exit again with intermediate tires. Many problems for Hülkenberg, who was back to box. After an even longer break, Toro Rosso with Sainz in front. Vettel went out with intermediates and minutes from then other drivers did same as the German.
Many track exits and losses of control were there for everyone, but with no heavy accidents. Best times were for Sainz, the most regular and constant driver on track. Drivers simulated a wet start when session was finished.
At 2 pm local time qualifying session will take place for the Grand Prix of Austria. Will see if rain also takes presence!
Results:
| Pos | Car | Driver | Team | Time | Gap | Laps |
| 1 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1:09.994 | 16 | |
| 2 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:10.011 | +0.017s | 16 |
| 3 | 7 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1:10.177 | +0.183s | 12 |
| 4 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Force India | 1:10.221 | +0.227s | 14 |
| 5 | 6 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1:10.332 | +0.338s | 23 |
| 6 | 19 | Felipe Massa | Williams | 1:10.408 | +0.414s | 18 |
| 7 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Williams | 1:10.417 | +0.423s | 14 |
| 8 | 33 | Max Verstappen | Toro Rosso | 1:10.436 | +0.442s | 23 |
| 9 | 13 | Pastor Maldonado | Lotus | 1:10.576 | +0.582s | 12 |
| 10 | 8 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus | 1:10.863 | +0.869s | 8 |
| 11 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India | 1:11.009 | +1.015s | 14 |
| 12 | 9 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber | 1:11.058 | +1.064s | 22 |
| 13 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Toro Rosso | 1:11.139 | +1.145s | 18 |
| 14 | 26 | Daniil Kvyat | Red Bull | 1:11.139 | +1.145s | 14 |
| 15 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Mclaren | 1:11.168 | +1.174s | 13 |
| 16 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | 1:11.819 | +1.825s | 10 |
| 17 | 12 | Felipe Nasr | Sauber | 1:11.906 | +1.912s | 9 |
| 18 | 22 | Jenson Button | Mclaren | 1:12.616 | +2.622s | 16 |
| 19 | 28 | Will Stevens | Marussia | 1:13.328 | +3.334s | 14 |
| 20 | 98 | Roberto Merhi | Marussia | 1:13.960 | +3.966s | 8 |