McLaren Chases Mercedes After FP2 Top-3 Sweep in Austrian GP Heat

3 articles · Updated · The Race · Jun 26

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris ran second and third in FP2, putting McLaren closest to Mercedes after Friday practice at Austria’s Red Bull Ring.
1m07.014s from Kimi Antonelli led single-lap pace, but McLaren’s longer medium-tyre stints kept its race-run averages close enough for George Russell to call it Mercedes’ “biggest concern.”
Ferrari finished only fifth and eighth on both single-lap and long-run charts, though rivals suspect it has more in reserve after GPS data hinted it may have held back engine power.
Red Bull’s upgraded RB22 showed flashes through Max Verstappen’s long run, yet balance complaints and limited running left it still a few tenths off the front on a heat-hit, brake-heavy Friday.
The scorching conditions again exposed tyre and brake management, while a tight midfield led by Audi threatened to punish any mistake from the top four teams.