Andrea Kimi Antonelli was the fastest in the first practice session of the Austrian GP with his Mercedes, beating George Russell and leaving Lewis Hamilton six-tenths behind. Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, hampered by mechanical issues, were the closest rivals, while Fernando Alonso closed out the timesheet with an Aston Martin lacking pace. The session reinforces the perception that Mercedes dominates the grid.
The German engine and the technical cracks in the competition 🏎️
The performance of the Mercedes W14 in Spielberg points to fine chassis tuning and efficient tire management, factors that allowed Antonelli to exploit the engine on the long straights. In contrast, Red Bull suffered from rear degradation and a hydraulic system failure on the RB19, while Aston Martin failed to activate the DRS correctly. The technical gap between teams remains evident, with Mercedes showing a more complete package.
Red Bull mechanics, time to check the instruction manual 🔧
Verstappen and Piastri experienced their own technical drama in Austria, with the Dutchman asking over the radio if someone had hidden the tools. While Antonelli was doing exhibition laps, the Red Bull garage looked like an improvised repair shop. Alonso, for his part, could enjoy a panoramic view of the track from last place, ideal for admiring how the Mercedes pulled away unhurriedly but relentlessly.