Max Verstappen Dominates Austrian GP FP1 While Rivals Struggle to Keep Up
The 2024 Austrian Grand Prix kicked off with an electrifying start as Red Bull's Max Verstappen put on a stellar performance in the first Free Practice session. Setting a blistering pace of 1:05.685, Verstappen reaffirmed his dominance, leaving his closest competitors trailing behind.
Top Three: A Mix of Rising Stars and Established Talents
Oscar Piastri of McLaren showcased his burgeoning talent by clocking in the second-fastest time at 1:05.961, a mere 0.276 seconds behind Verstappen. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, always a strong contender, secured the third spot with a time of 1:06.055, proving that the Prancing Horse is still in the race for top positions.
Midfield Magic: Sainz, Hamilton, and Ocon Impress
Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari finished fourth, with a solid time of 1:06.128, closely followed by Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who clocked 1:06.254 to secure fifth place. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon came in sixth with a time of 1:06.297, maintaining a consistent performance throughout the session.
Top Ten Round-Up: Stroll, Russell, Tsunoda, and Alonso
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll completed the session in seventh, finishing with a time of 1:06.384. Close on his heels was Mercedes’ George Russell in eighth with a lap time of 1:06.386. The top ten was rounded out by Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull juniors with a time of 1:06.579, and Aston Martin's seasoned veteran Fernando Alonso, who clocked 1:06.603.
Detailed Results
| # | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:05.685 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:05.961 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:06.055 |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Ferrari | 1:06.128 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:06.254 |
| 6 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:06.297 |
| 7 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:06.384 |
| 8 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:06.386 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Juniors | 1:06.579 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:06.603 |
On the Outside Looking In
Pierre Gasly finished just outside the top ten in 11th place, clocking a time of 1:06.734 for Alpine. Sergio Perez had an uncharacteristically slow session, only managing 12th place for Red Bull with a time of 1:06.783. Other noteworthy mentions include McLaren's Lando Norris who finished 13th, and Valtteri Bottas who placed 15th for Sauber with a time of 1:06.925.
The Underdogs
Daniel Ricciardo, in his return to Red Bull Juniors, managed a time of 1:06.962, placing him 16th. Haas' Kevin Magnussen rounded out the bottom of the timesheet, struggling to find pace and ending 17th with a time of 1:06.966. Williams' Logan Sargeant had a difficult session, closing the list in 20th place with a time of 1:07.259.
As the teams head into the next practice sessions, all eyes will be on whether any of Verstappen's rivals can close the gap. Stay tuned as we bring you more insights and updates from the Austrian Grand Prix!