The opening day of running at the Austrian Grand Prix delivered a busy and productive start. With track temperatures soaring to 50°C, the team focused on understanding tire behavior and degradation, working through the Soft C5 and Medium C4 compounds while keeping both sets of Hard tires in reserve for the weekend.
Both drivers showed encouraging pace across longer runs, with tire management remaining a key focus in the demanding conditions. FP1 ended with Kimi Antonelli fastest in P1 and George Russell close behind in P2, a strong start to the weekend.
In FP2, with more representative programmed across the field, several teams shifted focus to medium‑tire work. Antonelli again topped the timesheets, while Russell finished P6 after a solid run on the same compounds. On single‑lap pace, Antonelli impressed on the Softer C5 compound, clocking a lap two‑tenths quicker than Norris’ McLaren.
Driver Results
| Driver | FP1 | FP2 | Tires Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimi Antonelli | 29 laps, 1:07.796, P1 | 32 laps, 1:07.014, P1 | Medium, Soft, Medium |
| George Russell | 30 laps, 1:07.836, P2 | 25 laps, 1:07.637, P6 | Medium, Soft, Medium |
Driver Quotes
Kimi Antonelli: “It’s been a clean and productive day for us. From FP1 onwards, I felt comfortable in the car, which gave us a good platform to build from. The hot conditions make tire management challenging, so keeping them in the right window is key.
We’ve gathered a lot of useful information, but there’s still work to do. We’ll analyze everything in detail and focus on the right improvements ahead of Qualifying.”
George Russell: “It’s been a solid day overall and a good place to start the weekend. The car felt competitive from the outset, and we’ve got a solid base to work from. Margins are tight, so there’s performance to unlock, and that’s what we’ll focus on overnight. The long‑run pace looked strong, which is encouraging. Tire management will be crucial, and we’ll keep working on that. With a few tweaks, I’m confident we can take a step forward and put ourselves in the mix for Qualifying.”
Team Notes
The W17 showed promising behavior at the Red Bull Ring, a track where recent years have been more challenging. Altitude adds extra demands on the power unit and cooling system, while rear tire temperatures remain a focus. The morning session was packed with test items, and balance improvements were made into the afternoon. Antonelli closed the day on a high, while Russell’s long‑run pace remained strong despite not maximizing his single lap in FP2.
Overall, the team leaves Friday with plenty of data, a solid foundation, and optimism for Qualifying. Compared to previous seasons here, the progress is clear, and the fight looks close across both single‑lap and long‑run performance.