Fans watching the Austrian Grand Prix could feel the excitement building as Lando Norris once again proved he is in top form. In the final practice session at the Red Bull Ring, Norris led his teammates in a dominant display, giving everyone hope for an exciting qualifying and race.
McLaren’s Consistent Performance in Final Practice
During FP3, Norris set the fastest time of 1:04.300, showcasing the strength of the McLaren team around this demanding track. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, also performed well, finishing second just behind Norris. Both drivers focused on soft tires, trying to push their cars to the limit on this fast, twisty circuit.
It's clear that McLaren has made significant progress this season. Norris and Piastri have been quick throughout the weekend, and their strong performance in FP3 suggests they are well-prepared for the upcoming qualifying sessions. Norris's quick lap was nearly trouble-free, while Piastri faced an issue earlier when he damaged his car's floor but managed to rebound with a fast lap later in the session.
Other Drivers and Conditions
Max Verstappen, the current world champion, was close behind with a best time of 1:04.534. He waited until the final minutes to push on soft tires and showed good speed but also had a small mistake that cost a little time. Verstappen's spin at the final corner was a reminder that every corner counts in qualifying.
Ferrari drivers showed promise, with Charles Leclerc finishing just a few hundredths behind Verstappen, indicating they could be strong competitors in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell from Mercedes were a bit further back but still in the mix, showing steady progress compared to earlier in the weekend.
Several other drivers faced minor issues, but the overall session was competitive. Yuki Tsunoda spun at turn one but stayed on track. Williams drivers struggled for pace, with Alexander Albon finishing in 14th place. Meanwhile, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly experienced difficulties but continued to push their cars.
The weather played a role as the track conditions improved gradually, with warmer temperatures likely to help tire grip during qualifying. Drivers are now gearing up for a tense and exciting session as they aim to secure the best starting position for the race.
Overall, FP3 saw McLaren asserting their dominance once again, but the real competition is about to begin in qualifying. Fans can expect a close fight, with every driver aiming to overcome small mistakes and find that perfect lap to start at the front.
