Hamilton tops FP1 in Austria as F1 returns - FP1 report

After more than four months without Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton topped the first free practice session at the restart of the season in Austria. The Mercedes driver turned out to be the fastest of the bunch with a 1:04.816. The six-time world champion managed to keep team mate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen well behind him at the Red Bull Ring.

When the lights went green at 11:00, many drivers decided to go straight out for an installation lap. However, the first 15 minutes were very quiet on the dry asphalt of the Red Bull Ring. Carlos Sainz immediately commented enthusiastically on the onboard radio: "Oh, this is so fast...".

Lando Norris was the first driver to set a time on the clock: 1:10;521. A meaningless time and the young Brit couldn't enjoy his place at the top of the timesheet for long, because Valtteri Bottas quickly took top spot.

Several drivers tried it on the green rubber, but all of them soon came to the conclusion that slicks can be driven. Lewis Hamilton took the lead after 45 minutes, but McLaren kept on turning well at the top. Ferrari were also in the top five but eventually dropped down the pecking order, while Verstappen and Alexander Albon don't seem to have reached their full potential.

Verstappen managed to improve for third place after a small spin at turn one, six tenths off Lewis Hamilton. However, the eight-time Grand Prix winner was hindered by a Williams, so there still seems to be some improvement in the RB16.