Russell Flags McLaren Threat After Antonelli Leads Austria Practice by 0.237s
Updated
Updated · Motorsport.com · Jun 26
Russell Flags McLaren Threat After Antonelli Leads Austria Practice by 0.237s
3 articles · Updated · Motorsport.com · Jun 26
Summary
Kimi Antonelli topped both Friday sessions at the Red Bull Ring, leading FP2 by 0.237s over Oscar Piastri, but George Russell said McLaren's long-run pace looked like Mercedes' bigger problem.
Russell finished only sixth in FP2 after an error on his fastest lap and said that was not the concern; he pointed instead to a heat-related pattern in which McLaren "step it up" while Mercedes lose ground.
Lando Norris still went third in FP2 despite losing FP1 running to a hydraulic leak, reinforcing Russell's view that both McLarens have strong one-lap and race pace for the Austrian Grand Prix.
McLaren played down the threat label: Piastri said Mercedes still looked ahead, while technical director Neil Houldey said Ferrari and an upgraded Red Bull leave at least eight drivers in contention.