Austrian GP: George Russell quickest from Max Verstappen as Alex Dunne impresses in first follow | F1 Information
George Russell was quickest from Max Verstappen in first follow for the Austrian Grand Prix as Eire’s Alex Dunne impressed on his McLaren debut.
Canada race-winner Russell, who revealed to Sky Sports activities F1 that Mercedes are speaking to Verstappen concerning the Dutchman’s future, pipped his rival by 0.065s on Pink Bull’s house observe.
Championship chief Oscar Piastri was third and Dunne, who changed Lando Norris for the primary session in Austria, impressively took fourth and was solely 1 / 4 of a second off pace-setter Russell.
F1 groups should fulfil a rule which requires them to run a rookie in at the least 4 follow periods in the course of the season, so McLaren took the chance to offer Dunne an opportunity to shine and he actually caught the eye of the paddock.
Dunne, 19, leads the System 2 championship and have become the primary Irish driver to compete in an F1 race weekend since Ralph Firman in 2003.
“I need to say an enormous thanks. A little bit boy’s dream got here true, and that is undoubtedly the very best day of my life,” mentioned Dunne on the radio after the session.
“Thanks everybody for letting me do that, and because of Lando as nicely for trusting me together with his automotive.”
Lewis Hamilton suffered a gearbox problem mid-way via the session and was ninth as Ferrari introduced a brand new ground to Austria in an try to bridge their deficit to the front-runners.
Ferrari additionally ran a rookie with Dino Beganovic driving rather than Charles Leclerc, who will return with Norris for second follow in a while Friday at 4pm, stay on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Sports activities Major Occasion.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was fifth and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto in sixth with the midfield groups sensing an opportunity to seize factors because of the closeness of the sector because of the quick lap time in Austria.
Williams pair Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz had been seventh and eighth, with Hamilton and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar rounding out the highest 10.
Fernando Alonso had an enormous spin on the last nook however prevented the obstacles to complete 14th with the highest 19 separated by only one second.
Sky Sports activities F1’s Austrian GP schedule
Friday June 27
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying*
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying*
3.35pm: Austrian GP Follow Two (session begins at 4pm)*
5.15pm: The F1 Present*
Saturday June 28
9am: F3 Dash
11.15pm: Austrian GP Follow Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: AUSTRIAN GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday June 29
7.25am: F3 Function Race
8.55am: F2 Function Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up*
2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP response*
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Subsequent up for the 2025 System 1 season is a return to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix, which is stay on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.