After first session of free trials the Formula 1 returns to the track with the Austrian GP for FP2. Norris takes the lead in the first session of the day, with Piastri completing Papaya's domination. Verstappen is the closest, still more than three tenths behind.
Just left suffered problems for Liam Lawson and his Racing Bulls. The steering wheel is not well adjusted and this forces the New Zealander to immediately return to the pits. Also in this session the drivers are divided between those who start with the hard tyres and those with the medium tyres.
Ferrari's problems continue with both Leclerc and Hamilton struggling to find a feel for the track. Leclerc goes long at Turn 3 and then again in gravel a few corners later, while Hamilton is complaining on the radio about not having pace and then it's protagonist of a dangerous impeachment on Antonelli.
At the Austrian GP weekend after 15 minutes of FP2 Norris leads the way on the medium tyres, followed by Verstappen on the red tyres and Piastri on the hard tyres.
Halfway through the session you enter qualifying mode
Mercedes enters qualifying mode and with new red tyres moves up to second with Russell and fifth with Antonelli. Leclerc moves up to sixth and Hamilton to seventh, on yellow and hard tyres respectively. Russell improves further beating his time in FP1, but everyone is now in qualifying mode and McLaren raises its voice. Norris signs a 1.04.580. 4, immediately behind him Piastri, followed by Stroll (more than 7 tenths behind), Russell, Tsunoda and Hamilton. Leclerc climbs to fifth position, despite a delay of almost XNUMX tenths.
Problems instead at Racing Bulls, who after Lawson's steering wheel problems also have to deal with some problems on the bottom of Hadjar's car, currently in the pits. Verstappen remains seventh, right behind his teammate, with Bortoleto in the Sauber immediately behind him. The top 10 is closed by the two veteran, multiple world champions Alonso and Hamilton.
As for the bottom of the rankings The Williams occupy the sixteenth and seventeenth positions, close to them the two Haas, with Ocon 15th and Bearman 18th. Verstappen moves up to third place, but remains more than three tenths behind Lando Norris.
Austrian GP: McLaren race pace superior
In the last 15 minutes there is time to make some simulations in view of the race: McLaren once again seems to be on another planet, with Mercedes trying to stay in the slipstream. Ferrari struggles in the single lap while the race pace seems to be better, Verstappen on the other hand as always proves to be a loose cannon, but always ready to take advantage of every opportunity.
The session ends with Lando Norris first time, followed by Piastri, Verstappen, Stroll, Leclerc, Russell, Tsunoda, Bortoleto, Alonso and Hamilton. The appointment is now tomorrow with the FP3 at 12pm and qualifying at 30pm.
