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Russell pips teammate Antonelli in Austrian GP practice

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • George Russell topped the timesheet in the final practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, overcoming a braking issue.
  • Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli was second quickest, narrowly behind Russell, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished third.
  • Antonelli leads the championship, having won five of the season's seven races so far.

George Russell snatched the quickest time in the final practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, denying his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli a clean sweep of the practice runs. Russell navigated a braking issue to post the fastest lap on Saturday.

Antonelli, the current Formula One championship leader, followed closely, lapping just 0.038 seconds slower than Russell. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who recently won the Spanish Grand Prix, encountered problems with his rear wheels locking up during a turn, placing him third, 0.115 seconds behind Antonelli.

Really bad straight-line braking on the front axle.

— George RussellRussell communicating a technical issue during the practice session.

Antonelli has had a dominant season, winning five out of the seven races held so far. He had initially taken the lead in the session from Lando Norris after the McLaren driver reported a broken mirror. Russell, who secured victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, had been second fastest before his final push.

"Really bad straight-line braking on the front axle," Russell was heard saying on team radio about his issue. Despite the problem, he delivered his best performance in the session's closing minutes, ultimately overtaking his 19-year-old teammate.

When someone has been quick, he's always been able to find himself and win. Kimi is very fast. That's why we hired him, and George the same. George doesn't need to prove to anyone that he has the speed, we know he has, and the ability.

— Toto WolffMercedes boss commenting on the team's drivers, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff commented on the team's drivers, stating, "When someone has been quick, he's always been able to find himself and win. Kimi is very fast. That's why we hired him, and George the same. George doesn't need to prove to anyone that he has the speed, we know he has, and the ability."

Hamilton expressed concerns about his car's performance, noting, "I locked up in turn three, locked the rears. We need to check the gearbox. It said it was shifting but I was still in anti-stall."

I locked up in turn three, locked the rears. We need to check the gearbox. It said it was shifting but I was still in anti-stall.

— Lewis HamiltonHamilton describing a problem with his car during the practice session.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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