McLaren takes the spotlight in Austria, determined to bounce back after the misstep in Canada. The significant mechanical update package on the MCL39 brought no negative surprises and even boosted Lando Norris’s confidence. A different scenario for Ferrari, which had a lackluster start in Styria despite the new floor. Max Verstappen will try to put pressure on the papaya duo, immediately choosing a different strategy than the others.
McLaren sets the pace
Friday at the Red Bull Ring is dominated by the world champions. Max Verstappen is three tenths off the leading McLaren, while Ferrari is trailing by six tenths with Charles Leclerc. As always, many factors could explain such superiority, starting with McLaren’s notoriously aggressive approach to practice sessions. Engine mapping is also important on this power-sensitive track, which has the second-highest percentage of full-throttle time (73%) since the start of the season.
Nevertheless, the MCL39 confirms itself as a car with a wide operating window and relatively easy to set up. Impressive is Norris’s immediate jump to the top despite missing FP1, where rookie Dunne finished less than a tenth behind Piastri. The talent of the young Irishman, who is excelling in Formula 2, is undeniable, but his performance highlights the drivability of the McLaren.
Credit also goes to the update package introduced between Canada and Austria. The dual intervention on the front suspension was aimed at improving front-end feedback through the steering wheel. Norris, who had struggled the most with the 2025 car’s handling regression, is the happiest, while it remains to be seen if Piastri will adopt the new configuration for qualifying and the race. The two teammates also differ in rear wing choices, with Lando using a more trimmed updated version, awaiting Saturday to see if setups will converge.
Verstappen chasing, Ferrari challenges Mercedes
All the top teams bring updates to Austria, including Red Bull, which arrives at its home race with a new floor.
At the end of the day, Verstappen sits third behind the McLaren duo and, although helped by setting his lap later than the others, there are also positive signs from Tsunoda’s seventh place. The champion now hopes for the usual improvement between Friday and Saturday, relying on simulator feedback.
Behind him, a duel is shaping up between Ferrari and Mercedes. The Maranello and Brackley teams show different approaches and strengths on a track that demands a balance between traction out of hairpins in the first half and stability through the fast corners later. Mercedes stands out in the first sector, with the W16 proving agile in slow corners. Russell remains the reference for the Silver Arrows, while Antonelli, though further back than in Canada, shows a less conservative approach, pushing harder in his first laps.
Ferrari’s Friday is hindered by setbacks. A gearbox issue keeps Lewis Hamilton in the garage for part of FP1, while Charles Leclerc gives up his seat to Beganovic. Overall, the Ferraris lack pace, although they outperform Mercedes in the fast third sector. The final corners are the best section for gathering data on the new floor, especially the redesigned Venturi channels and diffuser.
Red Bull goes off-script with strategy
McLaren remains the benchmark even on race pace, though the Woking squad often adopts a more aggressive simulation strategy. Norris is the fastest on medium tyres, followed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who also outpaces both Russell and Leclerc. Comparisons with Verstappen are impossible, as the Dutchman—like Hamilton—runs on softs, indicating a different strategy.
Almost all front-runners used a set of hard tyres, effectively sacrificing it in what’s expected to be a two-stop race. Verstappen, however, chose instead to use an extra set of softs. The comparison between Norris on mediums and Piastri on hards reveals the latter’s pace deficit, seemingly invalidating Red Bull’s strategy from the outset, though everything could change with the weather.
Waiting for the heat
Friday at the Red Bull Ring features relatively low temperatures. Under a cloudy sky, the asphalt peaks at 44°C in FP1 before dropping to 35°C in the afternoon. In such conditions, Verstappen’s main limitation on soft tyres is front degradation. However, with a likely return of warmer weather, the limiting factor may shift to the rear, making balance decisions more critical. Mercedes won’t welcome this, being plagued by chronic tyre overheating, while Ferrari may benefit, often performing better in heat. Rising temperatures could also impact tyre wear, potentially validating Red Bull’s decision to save two sets of hards in an effort to counter a resurgent McLaren with strategy.
Leave a Reply