Austrian Grand Prix 2025: Final Practice Session Overview

As the motorsport world eagerly anticipates the 2025 Formula 1 season, the latest round of action took place at the Austrian Grand Prix, marking the 11th race of the year. The final practice session, held on Saturday, July 28, showcased a thrilling display of speed and strategy, with Lando Norris leading the charge for McLaren. This session not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the teams but also set the stage for an exciting race weekend.

Lando Norris Takes the Lead

In a stunning performance, Lando Norris clocked in the fastest time of the final practice session, registering a remarkable lap of 1:04.324. This impressive feat placed him just a fraction ahead of his teammate, Oscar Piastri, who finished in second with a time that was slightly over a tenth of a second slower. This strong showing from McLaren indicates their growing strength this season, as the team aims to capitalize on their momentum in the upcoming race.

Max Verstappen’s Late Surge

Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, made a late push to secure the third position in the final practice. In the closing minutes of the session, he managed to clock in a time that was 0.210 seconds off Norris’s leading time. His performance highlights Red Bull’s continued competitiveness in the championship, especially as they look to reclaim their dominance on the track.

Ferrari’s Consistent Performance

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five in the practice session. Leclerc managed to secure the fourth spot, just 40 milliseconds behind Verstappen, while Hamilton followed closely in fifth. The Ferrari team appears to be in a strong position, with both drivers consistently performing well and remaining competitive against the front-runners.

Mercedes’ Battle for Position

The Mercedes duo, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively. Russell’s time was just 35 milliseconds faster than Antonelli’s, showcasing a close battle within the team. However, both drivers found themselves nearly seven tenths of a second behind the pace set by McLaren, indicating that Mercedes still has some work ahead to match their rivals.

Gabriel Bortoleto’s Impressive Showing

One of the standout performers in this session was Gabriel Bortoleto, who achieved his best finish of the season by landing in the tenth position. The Sauber driver successfully outpaced his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, and consistently demonstrated his potential by keeping within the top ten throughout all practice sessions. Bortoleto’s performance is a positive sign for Sauber as they look to enhance their competitiveness in the remaining races.

The Early Stages of the Session

The final practice session began with Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso being the first to hit the track. Shortly after, Verstappen joined the action, quickly establishing himself as a frontrunner. During the initial laps, Verstappen set a benchmark time of 1:06.131 on hard tires, which he later improved to 1:05.818, demonstrating Red Bull’s strong pace.

The Battle for Fastest Lap

As the session progressed, Yuki Tsunoda, driving for AlphaTauri, made his mark by achieving the second-fastest time on soft tires, coming in just over a tenth behind Verstappen. This competitive edge from Tsunoda added another layer of excitement, as he aimed to challenge the top teams in the session.

Norris, however, quickly took control of the session, clocking a blistering 1:05.412 to take the lead. Piastri also made his presence felt, moving up to third place as the drivers began to push for faster lap times.

Midway Through the Session

With 39 minutes remaining, Tsunoda’s performance improved even further as he climbed to second place, only 0.087 seconds behind Norris. This prompted a flurry of activity in the pit lane as teams strategized their next moves. Meanwhile, Hulkenberg made his mark by moving into the top five, showcasing the competitive nature of the session.

As the clock ticked down, Hamilton managed to improve his standing, moving into second place, though still trailing Norris by nearly half a second. Russell, meanwhile, began to find his rhythm and climbed to third place with a time of 1:05.366.

The Final Minutes of the Session

As the session neared its conclusion, Leclerc made a significant jump to fifth place before further improving his time to 1:05.157, landing him in second place momentarily, although still behind Norris. The competitive spirit intensified as Russell and Antonelli both improved their times, showcasing the fierce rivalry not only between the top teams but also within their own ranks.

With just over 13 minutes left on the clock, Bortoleto achieved an excellent lap time, moving into sixth place. However, Tsunoda’s continued improvements pushed Bortoleto back to seventh as he worked hard to maintain his position. Bortoleto’s time of 1:05.182 placed him 0.858 seconds behind Norris, highlighting his solid performance throughout the session compared to his teammate Hulkenberg.

Piastri’s Climb and Ferrari’s Strategy

As the session approached its end, Piastri jumped into second place, showing McLaren’s strong form alongside Norris. The Ferrari team, not to be outdone, quickly rallied with Leclerc and Hamilton emerging in third and fourth positions, respectively. Verstappen managed to clock a time of 1:04.534, which solidified his position in the top three.

This final practice session was not just a display of speed; it served as a critical opportunity for teams to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the race. With so many drivers within striking distance of each other, the anticipation for the race was palpable. Each team was eager to analyze their data, strategize for race day, and address any issues that could impact their performance.

The Road Ahead

As the teams prepare for the race, the data collected during this final practice session will be invaluable. Engineers and drivers alike will analyze tire performance, fuel loads, and aerodynamic setups to ensure they have the best chance of success on race day. The competition is fierce, and with each passing session, the stakes continue to rise.

The Austrian Grand Prix promises to be an exhilarating race, with McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari all showing strong potential. As the teams head into the race weekend, fans can expect a thrilling display of racing, strategy, and relentless pursuit of victory.

With the stage set and tension mounting, all eyes will be on the grid as the drivers prepare to compete for glory in the picturesque setting of Austria. The battle for supremacy continues, and every team is determined to leave their mark on this iconic race. The excitement is building, and the world of Formula 1 is ready for another unforgettable chapter in the 2025 season.