Following his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, George Russell continued his strong form by setting the fastest lap in the first free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix, held at the Red Bull Ring. The British driver posted a lap time of 1m05.542s, edging out championship leader Max Verstappen in a closely contested session.
George Russell Leads the Timesheets Amid Challenging Conditions
Building on his momentum from Montreal, Russell delivered a commanding performance during the hour-long session, finishing at the top despite raindrops appearing toward the end. The damp conditions combined with traffic on the compact circuit prevented other drivers from challenging his benchmark time. Max Verstappen finished just 0.065 seconds behind Russell, maintaining pressure on the Mercedes driver. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, currently leading the world championship, secured third fastest.
Rookie Alex Dunne Impresses in First Formula 1 Run
Among the notable highlights was 19-year-old Irish driver Alex Dunne, who made a remarkable debut in Formula 1 by finishing fourth in the practice standings. Dunne, currently topping the Formula 2 championship, narrowly missed Piastri’s time by 0.069 seconds. His performance captured attention as he took part in his first official F1 free practice session alongside McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who observed proceedings from the pit wall.
“I want to say a massive thank you for making a little boy’s dream come true, this is definitely the best day of my life, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with this car,”
Alex Dunne said over the team radio at the end of the session. —Alex Dunne, Formula 2 Leader and F1 Rookie
Other Rookie and Team Performances in FP1
Dino Beganovic, another rookie, took the wheel of Ferrari’s car, replacing Charles Leclerc during this practicing period. However, his session proved less productive as Ferrari struggled with performance issues, leaving Beganovic 18th overall. Lewis Hamilton encountered gearbox troubles, resulting in a limited running time and a ninth-place finish. The Haas team’s drivers, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, were the only ones who recorded slower lap times than Beganovic.
Fernando Alonso also battled difficulties, spinning at the last corner after demanding too much from his Aston Martin’s soft tires during a poor out-lap. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly claimed fifth place, while newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto impressed in the Sauber by claiming sixth. The Williams drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, completed the top eight and ninth overall respectively, with Isack Hadjar finishing tenth.
Austrian Grand Prix Initial Practice Results and Their Implications
The close lap times at the Red Bull Ring highlight the competitive nature of the field heading into the weekend, with mere hundredths of a second separating several drivers. George Russell’s fastest lap serves as a strong statement that Mercedes remain a significant contender after his Canadian GP triumph. Max Verstappen’s proximity suggests Red Bull is still very much a force to reckon with at their home event.
Rookie Alex Dunne’s impressive debut signals potential shifts in the talent hierarchy, hinting at future opportunities for promising drivers from Formula 2 to break into Formula 1. Meanwhile, teams like Ferrari and Aston Martin must address their struggles promptly if they are to challenge near the front in the race.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying and Race Day
As teams analyze data from this first session, adjustments will be vital, especially with unpredictable weather risks as suggested by the late raindrops. The Austrian GP remains a crucial point in the season, with leaders like Russell and Piastri eager to capitalize on momentum. For rookies and established drivers alike, the coming sessions will test adaptability and consistency on the fast, technical Red Bull Ring circuit.
