McLaren exhibited remarkable performance in the practice sessions leading up to the Austrian Grand Prix, achieving a 1-2 finish in both FP2 and FP3. Lando Norris clocked the fastest time in FP3 at 1m04.324s, closely followed by his teammate Oscar Piastri, who was just 0.118 seconds behind. This solidifies their position as strong contenders in the race, especially with title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull racing a mere 0.210 seconds off the pace.
The competitive landscape seems tighter than in previous sessions, with drivers including Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton not far behind. Leclerc finished FP3 in fourth, while Hamilton ended in fifth, showcasing that the battle for positions will be fiercely contested.
During FP1, Mercedes’ George Russell topped the time charts, leading ahead of Verstappen. However, newcomer Alex Dunne, who debuted in the McLaren team during FP1, made a significant impact finishing fourth and just 0.069 seconds off the pace of Piastri, underscoring the potential depth of talent within the McLaren lineup.
As the teams gear up for the race weekend, McLaren’s consistent performances in practice signal a promising outlook for both Norris and Piastri, who seem poised to challenge for top positions. With other teams also closing the gap, particularly Red Bull and Ferrari, fans can anticipate an exciting race filled with fierce battles.