(Credit: XPB Images)
Verstappen Fastest in Austrian GP Practice Despite Sensor Scare
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen showcased his speed at the Red Bull Ring during the sole Austrian practice session of the weekend ahead of the sprint shootout qualifying , overcoming an engine sensor issue to set the fastest lap. Despite stopping on the main straight, Verstappen clocked a lap time of 1:05.685 on soft tires, securing his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Mid-Session Scare
With 28 minutes left in the session, Verstappen’s engine cut out, halting his run and briefly suspending the session. He skillfully parked near a gap in the pit wall, allowing his car to be quickly returned to the garage. Staying calm in the cockpit, the triple world champion waited while the Red Bull mechanics addressed the issue. After a minute of downtime, Verstappen rejoined the practice session without further problems, although the sensor issue remains a concern for the team. With four engines already used this season, the threat of an engine penalty looms over Verstappen’s campaign.
Close Competition
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, sporting a new front wing, secured the second-fastest time, just 0.276 seconds behind Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed closely in third, 0.370 seconds off the pace, with teammate Carlos Sainz in fourth. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five, impressively setting his best lap on hard tires.
Midfield Battle
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon claimed the sixth spot, followed by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in seventh. George Russell placed eighth for Mercedes, while Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the top ten, with less than a second separating the top driver from Alonso.
Norris Struggles
Lando Norris, Verstappen’s closest rival in the championship, faced difficulties, finishing 13th after an off-track excursion into the gravel at Turn Four. Despite setting the fastest first sector time, his session ended on a challenging note.
View the full results of the Austrian practice session here.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, Verstappen’s performance cements his status as the favorite, but with competitive times from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, the Austrian Grand Prix promises an exciting weekend to come.
