As the Austrian Grand Prix heats up, fans were excited to see who would come out on top in the final practice session. Lando Norris showed he is in great form, setting the fastest time and giving hope for a thrilling qualifying. The battle for pole position is heating up as drivers push their cars to the limit on the challenging Spielberg circuit.
Final Practice Showcases McLaren's Strength
During the second practice session, Norris dominated the track with a best lap of 1:04.324, running on soft tires. He was consistent throughout the session, which was almost trouble-free for him. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, also performed well, finishing just a tenth behind Norris despite a minor issue that damaged his car's floor. Quick repairs allowed him to set a solid time and stay in the hunt for a top grid position.
While Norris and Piastri focused on soft tires, Max Verstappen waited until the final 10 minutes to try his soft tire runs. He initially started with hard tires, but his quick laps on soft rubber brought him very close to Norris. Verstappen's top time was just 0.210 seconds slower than Norris, showing he is a serious contender. However, a slip and a spin in the final corner highlighted his drive for better precision in qualifying.
Other Notable Performances and Conditions
Yuki Tsunoda had a spin at turn one but managed to continue and set a solid eighth-fastest time. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, and some other drivers faced minor issues but remained competitive. Ferrari drivers showed promising signs, with Charles Leclerc close behind Verstappen, only four hundredths slower. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell from Mercedes looked less competitive compared to earlier sessions, ending the practice quite a bit slower.
Williams drivers struggled to match the top times. Alexander Albon was the quickest among them, but still a second behind Norris. Meanwhile, other teams like Alpine and Haas faced their challenges. Franco Colapinto spun, and some drivers found themselves held up by others, making the track a busy and unpredictable place. Despite the difficulties, the final practice gave a good glimpse of each team's readiness for qualifying.
Fans now look forward to the qualifying, where all the efforts in practice will be tested in real racing conditions. Norris's strong pace bodes well for McLaren, but Verstappen’s experience and skill mean he could still turn things around. As the weekend progresses, everyone will be watching closely to see who takes the crucial pole position and how the race unfolds on this scenic but demanding Spielberg circuit.
