After the stage in America la Formula 1 returns to Europe with the Austrian GP: in FP1 Russell stood out, achieving the best timeVerstappen and Norris complete the top 3, while Hamilton's Ferrari suffered gearbox problems throughout the session. F2 leader Dunne surprised everyone by taking over from Norris in this FP1, setting the fourth fastest time, less than a tenth behind Piastri.
FP1 gets underway in Austria
The lights go out and the drivers take to the track, with a few new faces. Alexander Dunne, leader of Formula 2, and Dino Beganovic, also competing in the minor formula, take the place of Norris and Leclerc respectively. There is great variety on the track when it comes to tyre choice: all three compounds are used right from the start.
However, no one signs an interesting time, with the teams trying to collect as much data as possible. Above all, Ferrari and McLaren, who mount “rakes” on their cars, looking for information. Verstappen, protagonist of three long runs, complains about the condition of his Red Bull, as well as his teammate Tsunoda, who describes the brakes as terrible. It will be an unusual weekend for the Dutchman, as his usual track engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will not be present for personal reasons. In his place is Simon Rennie, former track engineer for Daniel Ricciardo.
In the second half of FP1 the qualifying simulations begin
After 20 minutes from the start of FP1 Hamilton forced to return to the pits due to a gearbox problem, while the two Mercedes take the front row even if the time is almost 2 seconds higher than the 2024 pole position and with the hard tyres. In Austria when we are almost halfway through FP1, Russell and Antonelli fit the soft tyres and further improve their times, with Sainz positioning himself between the two on the medium tyres. Piastri, Verstappen, Gasly and Bortoleto complete the top 7.
Sauber confirmed its excellent form by placing second with Bortoleto and fifth with Hülkenberg, both on soft tyres. Alonso instead spins at the last corner before launching for a fast lap causing the first yellow flag of these FP1.
The standings are constantly changing as teams fit the red tyres in search of the best sensations for qualifying. The problems continued for the number 44 Ferrari, forced to return to the pits for the second time after just a few laps.
McLaren, absent until now, climbs to third position with Piastri. The team leading the championship has already changed the front wing a couple of times, looking for answers on the new version brought here to Austria, ahead of him in these FP1 Verstappen and in first position Russell, with a 1.05.542. Fifth position for Gasly, while the surprising Bortoleto remains in the top 6. Good session so far also for the surprising Dunne, in fourth position, less than a tenth from Piastri.
After 50 minutes, Lewis Hamilton finally shakes off last place, entering the top 10, while Russell lets the pits know that he has sensed a few drops of rain. In the last minutes due to some rain and the race pace simulations, the top 10 remains unchanged. In Austria in FP1 Russell picks up where he left off, positioning himself at the front, followed by Verstappen and Piastri. Completing the top 10 are Dunne, Gasly, Bortoleto, Albon, Sainz, Hamilton and HadjarThe appointment is now for FP2 at 17:00.
