Max Verstappen experienced a challenging free practice session in Austria. The three-time world champion encountered engine troubles just over half an hour into the session at the Red Bull Ring, a recurring issue this season. The session was interrupted with a red flag as his car was pushed back to the pit box by marshals. However, he returned to the track shortly after.
Despite the technical difficulties, Max Verstappen managed to clock the fastest time during the final phase of VT1 in the qualifying runs. He recorded a time of 1.05,685, outpacing Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
Due to a packed schedule with a sprint race on Saturday, the drivers only have one hour of free practice to get their cars’ balance in order. The session is also marked by the enforcement of track limits.
Adjustments Made to Track Limits
Last year, over a thousand violations of the track limits were recorded. As a result, turns nine and ten, the main culprits, have been addressed this year. A strip of gravel has been laid on the outside of both turns to immediately penalize drivers who go too far out. This has not led to any significant incidents, apart from a substantial detour by Lando Norris through the gravel. However, driving on the limit does bring some gravel onto the track, which carries its own risks, such as punctured tires.
McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes once again demonstrate their ability to compete with Max Verstappen’s RB20 in terms of speed. The differences are small at Red Bull’s home circuit, where Max Verstappen has already triumphed four times (in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023). Midway through VT1, Lewis Hamilton leads the time list with 1.06,254 on hard tires, followed by George Russell, Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen’s Issue Quickly Resolved
Verstappen has to temporarily withdraw from the race when his Honda engine stalls on the long straight at the start/finish. On television, he can be seen shaking his head in disappointment. However, the issue is quickly resolved in the garage. Shortly after the session resumes, Verstappen returns to the Austrian asphalt. Over the radio, he speculates that the engine failure may have something to do with an adjustment made to the differential. The exact cause will become clear later today.
In the qualifying runs towards the end of the session, Verstappen manages to bring a smile to the faces of Red Bull and the Dutch fans in the Max Verstappen stand. He clocks the fastest time, as if nothing had happened, and of course, for what it’s worth. Behind him, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Lance Stroll, Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, and Fernando Alonso finish in that order.
The sprint qualification (Sprint Shootout) in Austria is scheduled for 2.30 pm (UTC).
