EL1 at the Red Bull Ring: Hamilton takes a Mercedes double

A lot has changed in the world since the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix in mid-March, but a priori not the appearance of the timesheet. After 3 and a half months of forced break, Lewis Hamilton dominates the Free Practice 1 session of the Austrian Grand Prix, the first real timed session of a 2020 season turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Briton, whose W11 sports an elegant black livery intended to promote diversity and combat racism and inequalities, set a benchmark time of 1'04"816. At the end of a session started on a greasy and wet track, Hamilton precedes the second Mercedes de Valtteri Bottas of 0 »356. 

Max Verstappen, who spun without gravity at the first turn, hoisted his Red Bull RB16 with Honda engine in 3rd place, however 0”602 behind the mark registered by Hamilton. The Dutchman takes in his wake the McLaren de Carlos Sainz (+ 0 »615), which was the very first on track at 11:00 sharp this morning. 

The Spaniard is ahead of the Racing Point of Sergio Pérez, who experienced a small scare at the start of the race. A light smoke escaped from the rear of the RP20 and led the Mexican to return to the pits as a precaution. After removing a pontoon and combing the suspected area, the team found nothing unusual and sent Pérez back on track. 

Lando Norris signs the 6th time of these EL1, ahead of the Red Bull ofAlexander albon. The first one Renault ranks 8th in the hands of Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian, who signed his best mark in Medium yellow tires and not in Soft red tires like his comrades, is ahead Kevin Magnussen (Haas). 

Charles Leclerc completes the Top 10 aboard the highest ranked Ferrari, more than a second behind the leading Mercedes. The Monegasque confided yesterday during the media day that there was “ 99% chance that we will be in more difficulty than last year ". His teammate Sebastian Vettel must be satisfied with the 12th time.

In the French clan, Esteban Ocon ranks 13th for his official return to competition. The Normand's RS20, which is hosting a trio of upgrades this weekend, lost a bodywork element during a passage on the pit straight, which forced the team to recall its driver to the pits. 

Pierre Gasly got a little scare when he spun just in front of the Williams by George Russell at turn 10. The driver Alpha Tauri emerges in 17th position, ahead of the only rookie on the field, Nicholas latifi (Williams). 

Morning to forget for Romain Grosjean, confined to his garage due to a brake fluid leak on his Haas VF-20. The Frenchman was only able to exit at the very end of the session and found himself unable to set a representative time.