Norris fastest in free practice in Austria

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, June 28, 2025, p. a11

Vienna. Britain's Lando Norris (McLaren) posted the fastest time yesterday in the second free practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, the eleventh round of the Formula 1 World Championship, held at the 4,318-kilometer Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg.

Norris, who sat out the first session after handing over his car to Irish rookie and Formula 2 leader Alex Dunne, who had an impressive debut in F1 practice, beat his teammate, Australian Oscar Piastri, and the reigning four-time world champion, Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), by 157 and 318 thousandths of a second, respectively.

The 25-year-old Briton confirmed the superiority of the McLaren cars, which once again achieved a double victory.

But Verstappen, winner of the four recent pole positions at the Red Bull Ring, his team's home, will still have plenty to say this weekend.

Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) surprised everyone by taking the fourth best time, ahead of Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Briton George Russell (Mercedes), who had set the best time in the first practice session.

The top 10 was completed by Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull), Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), veteran Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and seven-time world champion, Englishman Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari).

Argentine Franco Colapinto (Alpine) recorded the worst time, almost two seconds behind Norris.

The drivers will compete in a third and final free practice session this Saturday, before qualifying.