Norris revives in Austria as McLaren dominate with Verstappen on their heels!

As the session got underway Liam Lawson reported being pulled to the right by its steering wheel.

In the first 15 minutes it was a McLaren 1-2 led by Lando Norris on the medium tyre, with Max Verstappen in P2 on the softs and Oscar Piastri in P3 on the hard compound. Charles Leclerc had an off in Turn 3 and then again at 6. Rookie  Andrea Kimi Antonelli had to take avoiding action from the driver he replaced at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton who stated he couldn’t see the Italian rookie as they both headed into 4.

Halfway through the session little had changed,with George Russell splitting the top 2. Then as the field went on their soft tyres runs it was Piastri who reclaimed P2 behind his teammate with Lance Stroll taking P3. Leclerc slotted in behind Russell and ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen, with Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton completing the top 10.

As the session ended it was Verstappen who took over P3 behind the McLarens, with Stroll keeping his P4 and Leclerc, Russell, Tsunoda, Bortoleto, Alonso and Hamilton rounding up the top 10. 

Once again Argentine rookie was dead last with teammate Pierre Gasly not faring that much better in P4. Both Williams drivers placed P16 and 17 led by Alexander Albon.