Lando Norris shines in Austria FP2, leading teammate Piastri and Verstappen as McLaren tops the timesheets ahead of final practice.
When the sun dips low over the lush Styrian hills, and engines scream through the Red Bull Ring, you know something electrifying is about to happen. That’s exactly what we saw in Friday’s second practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix. Lando Norris stamped his authority on the timesheets, taking P1 and proving that McLaren is here to challenge the big boys. But the story doesn’t end there — Oscar Piastri backed him up in second, while local hero Max Verstappen settled for third. Let’s unpack all the juicy details from this action-packed hour.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | A McLaren Masterclass in Austria |
| 2 | How Norris Set the Pace Early On |
| 3 | Piastri’s Solid Support Act |
| 4 | Verstappen Keeps a Watchful Eye |
| 5 | Drama for Leclerc and Hamilton |
| 6 | Aston Martin’s Silent Comeback |
| 7 | Rookie Magic: Gabriel Bortoleto Shines |
| 8 | Antonelli’s Learning Curve Continues |
| 9 | Racing Bulls Face Unexpected Hurdles |
| 10 | Midfield Battles Heat Up |
| 11 | Hulkenberg’s Disappointing Outing |
| 12 | Alpine Struggles to Find Form |
| 13 | Teams Eye Overnight Adjustments |
| 14 | What This Means for Qualifying |
| 15 | The Road Ahead: FP3 and Beyond |
A McLaren Masterclass in Austria
McLaren fans, rejoice! If you thought Canada was a one-off, Norris and Piastri just proved otherwise. Watching the orange cars dance through the sweeping curves was like poetry in motion — or watching a skilled chef carve through a ripe mango. Smooth, precise, and oh-so-satisfying.
How Norris Set the Pace Early On
Right out of the garage, Norris wasn’t here to play. He clocked a blistering 1m 05.437s on medium tyres, quickly topping early charts and sending a message to rivals: “Catch me if you can!” By the time everyone switched to soft tyres, Norris pushed even harder, finishing with an unbeatable 1m 04.580s lap.
Piastri’s Solid Support Act
Oscar Piastri didn’t just play second fiddle — he was right there, just a tenth-and-a-half behind Norris. This consistency is a big confidence boost for McLaren, signaling that they might be more than just dark horses this weekend.
Verstappen Keeps a Watchful Eye
While Verstappen’s fans had high hopes, Max had to settle for third. He tried two fresh sets of soft tyres, but even with the local support roaring him on, he couldn’t quite topple the McLaren duo. Don’t write him off, though — we know Verstappen often hides his true pace until it really counts.
Drama for Leclerc and Hamilton
Charles Leclerc had a rough day, skipping FP1 and then taking an unexpected detour through the gravel at Turn 6. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton complained over the radio about having “no pace.” It’s like watching a lion wander aimlessly, searching for its prey but never finding it. Their struggles add another layer of unpredictability for Saturday.
Aston Martin’s Silent Comeback
Lance Stroll made headlines, finishing a strong fourth despite still recovering from wrist surgery. Fernando Alonso also looked more comfortable, making it clear Aston Martin isn’t done fighting in this season’s midfield battle.
Rookie Magic: Gabriel Bortoleto Shines
Gabriel Bortoleto turned heads with his P8 finish. As a Kick Sauber rookie, running that high is no small feat. It’s like a new kid showing up to a basketball court and dunking on the veterans — instant respect earned.
Antonelli’s Learning Curve Continues
Kimi Antonelli, the young star everyone’s talking about, finished just outside the top 10. Despite getting caught behind Hamilton at Turn 4, he showed maturity beyond his years. Learning from these challenges is part of his steep, exciting journey.
Racing Bulls Face Unexpected Hurdles
Liam Lawson had an odd issue — his steering wheel was “pulling massively to the right.” Combined with Isack Hadjar’s struggles, the Racing Bulls had more headaches than speed on Friday. Expect them to burn the midnight oil looking for fixes.
Midfield Battles Heat Up
Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz, and Alex Albon all hovered around the midfield. The gaps were razor-thin, with Gasly ending as the first driver more than a second off Norris’s pace. The midfield scrap promises to be a thrilling subplot.
Hulkenberg’s Disappointing Outing
Nico Hulkenberg found himself second-to-last, only ahead of Franco Colapinto. The German reported, “I’m not feeling the love,” which pretty much sums up his session. After promising runs in Spain and Canada, this was a sharp downturn.
Alpine Struggles to Find Form
Both Gasly and Ocon failed to break into the top 10, continuing Alpine’s turbulent season. With no major updates and drivers visibly frustrated, they face a steep climb to regain competitiveness.
Teams Eye Overnight Adjustments
After FP2, engineers huddled over data sheets like detectives at a crime scene. Every millisecond matters, and teams are already plotting tweaks for FP3. Expect different set-up experiments on Saturday morning.
What This Means for Qualifying
Norris’s commanding pace means McLaren is suddenly a serious threat for pole. But remember, Verstappen always brings out his best when the stakes are highest. The grid could shuffle dramatically during qualifying.
The Road Ahead: FP3 and Beyond
FP3 kicks off at 12:30 local time on Saturday. Teams will finalize setups and drivers will find their ultimate limit. The stage is set for a qualifying session that might be as unpredictable as the Austrian weather.
Conclusion
Friday’s FP2 session wasn’t just another practice; it was a statement. McLaren’s rise is no fluke, and Norris looks hungry for more than just practice glory. With Piastri backing him up and Verstappen lurking, the fight for pole is wide open. Fans should buckle up — Saturday promises drama, speed, and possibly, a reshuffling of the expected order.
FAQs
1. Why was Lando Norris so fast in FP2?
Norris had a perfect setup and maximized the soft tyres, allowing him to set the fastest time with confidence.
2. What happened to Charles Leclerc during FP2?
Leclerc went off into the gravel at Turn 6 and struggled to find a rhythm after missing FP1.
3. Did Verstappen sandbag during FP2?
While he couldn’t match McLaren, Verstappen often hides full potential in practice to surprise rivals in qualifying.
4. How did the rookies perform in FP2?
Gabriel Bortoleto impressed with P8, while Antonelli finished just outside the top 10, showing promising pace.
5. What time does FP3 start in Austria?
FP3 starts at 12:30 local time on Saturday, giving teams one last chance to perfect their setups before qualifying.
