Max quickest in FP1 at Red Bull Ring

Published on 08 July 2022 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen started his Austrian Grand Prix weekend with the fastest time in the opening practice session. The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver was quickest at the Red Bull Ring, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell.

With this weekend featuring a Saturday sprint to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, FP1 has become more important than ever as it is the only change the drivers have to set-up the cars ahead of Friday’s qualifying.

At the start of the session all drivers head out the medium Pirelli compound. Max hits the ground running with his first lap setting the pace early on.

Twenty minutes into practice the red flag is waved, following the McLaren of Lando Norris having come to a standstill in turn six. The session is resumed ten minutes later, after the removal of the stricken McLaren.

After the red flag interlude, most drivers head out on the soft tyres to prepare for qualifying. Max continues to show the Red Bull’s pace by clocking a 1:06.302, which is ultimately the quickest time set in FP1.

Moments later, the red flag is waved again. This time, debris from the section in between a kerbstone and a gravel trap has come onto the track. The marshals quickly resolve the issue and the session is resumed six minutes later.

In the final quarter, the Mercedes show pace on the soft Pirellis by slotting into third and fourth behind Max and Leclerc, but ultimately the Dutchman and Monegasque top the timing sheets ahead of Friday qualifying.

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Results first free practice Austria: