Estéban den Toom is an editor at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1. With a background in journalism and a keen eye for detail, he delivers daily, reliable coverage and analysis of technical developments and on-track strategy within the sport.
The first and only free practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix proved to be a good one for Max Verstappen. He was fastest during the first session at the Red Bull Ring and topped the timesheet. Verstappen has an engine sensor issue (before his qualifying run) during free practice, causing him to stop on track. The Dutchman was able to resume the session afterwards.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton looked very fast during FP1 in Spielberg. Verstappen and Sergio Perez did not match the times of the two Britons in the first half-hour of the practice session. There was a curious event with the Dutchman in the second half of FP1, though.
Verstappen has a sensor issue with his RB20 and had to be rolled into the pit lane. So again, unreliability with the engine for Red Bull. Moments later, the reigning world champion was able to resume the session 'as normal'. Then came the qualifying runs. Verstappen showed his class and put his car on P1.
Full results from FP1 in Austria
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