EL1 – Verstappen on top, track limits pose a problem

“Dura lex, sed lex”, the law is harsh but it is the law. Here is how to summarize this first free practice session at Red Bull Ring as the times were canceled this morning for non-compliance with track limits, at turns 9 and 10.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) nevertheless signed the best time on soft tires with a 1.05.910. He is the only driver to have gone below the 1.06 mark for the moment. The championship leader continues race after race. He is ahead of a surprising Pierre Gasly on his Alpha Tauri. The Frenchman is only 2 tenths behind the sister car. Lewis Hamilton completes the top 3, 4 tenths behind his championship rival.

In the same tenth as the Briton, we find Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Yuki tsunoda (Alpha Tauri). A little disappointing in France, Alpine hoists its two cars into the top 10 in these FP1s. Fernando Alonso (6th) ahead once again Esteban Ocon (7th). The top 10 is completed by Lance stroll (Aston Martin), Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

The McLaren are starting slowly in Austria. Daniel Ricciardo is only 12th and Lando Norris 16th. 
Note that Robert Kubica was on track during FP1. He took the place of Kimi Raïkkönen on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo brand. The Pole is only 19th, more than 1 second 5 behind his teammate.

Lots of action on track this morning. The teams having completed relays for the qualifying session but also long relays for the race. The cause ? The uncertain weather for the rest of the weekend and the dark clouds which are gradually approaching the circuit. If this is the case, we risk not seeing the cars running in FP2.

How FP1 finished #StyrianGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/I4J1VkI4Sk

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 25, 2021