Mercedes' Antonelli Tops Friday Practice in Austria

New Delhi, India Jul 2, 2026 ALN: Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli headed McLaren's Oscar Piastri in Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Antonelli, who leads Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 41 points in the world championship, was 0.237 seconds clear of Australian Piastri. This performance not only highlights Antonelli's skill but also underscores the competitive nature of the current season, where every fraction of a second can significantly impact the championship standings.

The second McLaren of world champion Lando Norris was third fastest, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with Hamilton in fifth and the second Mercedes of George Russell in sixth position. This diverse spread of teams in the top positions reflects the ongoing evolution of car performance and team strategies, which have become increasingly intricate as the season progresses.

McLaren also looked competitive on race pace, with Norris mixing it with the Mercedes for the best pace on the long runs late in the session. This is a critical factor as teams prepare for the race, where tire management and consistent performance over longer distances often dictate the outcome. Norris's ability to maintain pace alongside Mercedes suggests that McLaren is closing the gap, which could lead to a more thrilling race on Sunday.

Russell, the only Mercedes driver to speak to the media on Friday, expressed surprise at McLaren's performance. He said: "It was a real surprise to see the first lap of the McLarens in P2 right at the top and their race pace, especially on Lando's side, looked a bit better than us." This acknowledgment from Russell indicates a level of respect for McLaren's capabilities and suggests that the team is not to be underestimated as the race weekend unfolds.

• Friday practice results

Norris missed most of the first session because of a hydraulic leak, but Piastri ended it third behind the Mercedes, just 0.117secs off Antonelli's fastest time. This close margin indicates that McLaren's performance is not merely a flash in the pan, but rather a consistent capability that could be leveraged in the upcoming qualifying sessions.

However, Piastri cautioned that Antonelli probably had more potential than was obvious from the headline times, as his fastest lap in the second session was set on his second attempt on his set of soft tyres, when they would have been past their best. This insight from Piastri highlights the complexities of tire management and the strategic elements that teams must navigate throughout the weekend.

Piastri remarked, "We are a step behind Mercedes, or at least Kimi, which we expected. For Kimi to do that kind of time on his second lap on the soft is quite impressive." This statement not only reflects Piastri's respect for Antonelli's driving but also emphasizes the competitive spirit that drives these athletes to push their limits.

McLaren technical director Neil Houldey remarked: "The Mercedes, and especially Kimi, are going to be very difficult to beat." This comment underscores the challenge that McLaren faces as they aim to elevate their performance and secure a strong result in the race. The acknowledgment of Mercedes' dominance serves as a reminder of the uphill battle that the team must navigate.

McLaren did not run a new rear wing, which follows the trend established by Ferrari and Red Bull in opening by rotating rather than flipping up, increasing the drag reduction on straights, because tests in the garage before practice revealed it needed more work. This decision reflects the meticulous approach teams must take in balancing performance upgrades with reliability, especially as the championship progresses.

Ferrari has an engine upgrade for this weekend that they hope will reduce their power deficit to Mercedes, following aerodynamic developments introduced in Barcelona two weeks ago, when Hamilton took his first win for the team. The significance of this upgrade cannot be overstated, as it represents Ferrari's ongoing efforts to regain competitiveness in a season where they have faced challenges in keeping pace with the front-runners.

However, Ferrari had a low-key day, not yet showing the pace that led to Hamilton's landmark victory. Hamilton was 0.597secs off the pace, and team-mate Charles Leclerc a further 0.244secs adrift in eighth place, behind the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar. This performance raises questions about Ferrari's current form and their ability to capitalize on the upgrades they have introduced.

Mercedes suspected Ferrari were running their new engine conservatively and would be in the fight at the front come qualifying. This strategic approach is not uncommon in 1, where teams often choose to conserve performance during practice sessions to save their best for qualifying, where grid positions are crucial for race success.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur downplayed the effect of the upgrade, given it is being introduced only two weeks after the FIA confirmed the team would be permitted to change the engine under the additional development and upgrade opportunities (Aduo) programme. Vasseur's cautious optimism reflects a broader understanding within the team that while upgrades are essential, their immediate impact may not be as pronounced as hoped.

"It was a tough Friday that we struggled a little with the conditions, a bit extreme, the altitude, the temperature," Vasseur said. This acknowledgment of external factors affecting performance highlights the complexity of racing, where environmental conditions can significantly influence car behavior and driver performance.

"It is the same for everyone, but it is not suiting very well to us. We have the night to correct to put everything together and let's try to do a better job on Saturday. So far we are far away from our potential," he added. This statement encapsulates the hope that teams hold for improvement as they analyze data and make adjustments overnight, which is a critical aspect of race weekends.

"We knew about Aduo two weeks ago; you cannot expect to have a huge step forward. It is a new engine for sure, but it is not a decent step." This sentiment reflects the realistic expectations that teams must maintain in a highly competitive environment where incremental improvements can make a significant difference.

Russell was lacking pace over one lap, 0.623secs off team-mate Antonelli, but was on pace during the race-simulation runs. This duality of performance highlights the varying strengths of drivers and the importance of team dynamics in ting race strategies.

Red Bull has a major upgrade on their car this weekend, and Verstappen was 0.55secs off the pace, with he and team-mate Hadjar complaining of a lack of grip. This lack of grip can be particularly concerning as it affects a driver's confidence and ability to push the car to its limits, which is essential for optimal performance.

Hadjar said: "It's not a completely different car. It feels like the usual. We still have work to do to catch up. For some reason, we were quite slow to get started; the car comes alive sometimes in qualifying. We need to get it sorted because it's quite tough. We are struggling with grip. It's a speed range we've been good at, so to have this behaviour from the car, I don't understand." This candid reflection from Hadjar underscores the challenges teams face in adapting to car changes and the intricacies of vehicle dynamics that can fluctuate between practice and qualifying.

At the back, Cadillac continued to have a difficult day when Sergio Perez stopped early on with the same electronics problems he had in the first session, while team-mate Valtteri Bottas had to abandon the session halfway through with sparks flying from the underside of the car. These issues highlight the technical challenges that teams must navigate throughout the season, where reliability is just as crucial as performance. The struggles faced by Cadillac serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of motor, where even the most prepared teams can encounter unforeseen difficulties.