The first and only free practice session for the
Austrian Grand Prix proved to be a good one for
Max Verstappen. He was fastest during the first session at the
Red Bull Ring and topped the timesheet. Verstappen has an engine sensor issue (before his qualifying run) during free practice, causing him to stop on track. The Dutchman was able to resume the session afterwards.
Mercedes drivers
George Russell and
Lewis Hamilton looked very fast during FP1 in Spielberg. Verstappen and
Sergio Perez did not match the times of the two Britons in the first half-hour of the practice session. There was a curious event with the Dutchman in the second half of FP1, though.
Verstappen has a sensor issue with his RB20 and had to be rolled into the pit lane. So again, unreliability with the engine for Red Bull. Moments later, the reigning world champion was able to resume the session 'as normal'. Then came the qualifying runs. Verstappen showed his class and put his car on P1.
Full results from FP1 in Austria