Lando Norris lit up the Styrian hills on Saturday morning, leading the final practice session ahead of Qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix. While many drivers wrestled with track limits and unpredictable setups, Norris glided like a skater on fresh ice, setting a blistering pace that left Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen trailing.
If you think FP3 is just a warm-up, think again. It’s the last chance for teams to fine-tune their cars, test risky setups, and get inside their rivals’ heads before the real battle begins. Curious about what really went down in this thrilling hour? Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1. | A Bright Start in the Styrian Mountains |
| 2. | Verstappen’s Early Efforts and Struggles |
| 3. | McLaren’s Bold Statement with Norris |
| 4. | Piastri’s Grit and Near Miss |
| 5. | Ferrari’s Quiet but Steady Progress |
| 6. | Mercedes: Neck-and-Neck Duel |
| 7. | Hadjar’s Wild Spin and Recovery |
| 8. | Late Session Drama: Norris and Verstappen’s Offs |
| 9. | Surprise Performers in the Top Ten |
| 10. | Aston Martin’s Mixed Fortunes |
| 11. | Williams and Haas: Midfield Battles |
| 12. | Alpine and the Struggle at the Back |
| 13. | The Role of Track Limits and Penalties |
| 14. | Momentum for Qualifying |
| 15. | Conclusion: Who Holds the Edge? |
A Bright Start in the Styrian Mountains
The Red Bull Ring in Austria is known for its postcard-perfect scenery and equally challenging corners. As the morning sun lit up the track, fans packed the grandstands, hoping for fireworks — and they weren’t disappointed. FP3 began with teams cautiously exploring their setups, looking for the perfect balance between speed and stability.
Verstappen’s Early Efforts and Struggles
Max Verstappen was among the first to venture out, armed with a new race engineer and a fresh set of hard tyres. His initial time of 1m 6.131s looked conservative, especially compared to Norris’ FP2 best. Verstappen’s frustration was clear as he radioed, “The car is a bit nervous getting back on throttle,” sounding like someone trying to tame a feisty horse.
McLaren’s Bold Statement with Norris
While Red Bull was busy troubleshooting, McLaren was busy impressing. Norris flew around the track, laying down a time of 1m 4.324s that looked almost effortless. Using soft tyres, he built on the momentum from FP2, proving that McLaren’s latest upgrades were no gimmick. His car seemed glued to the tarmac, as if it had found a cheat code for extra grip.
Piastri’s Grit and Near Miss
Oscar Piastri wasn’t content to play second fiddle. He pushed hard, too hard at times — running wide at Turn 9 and nearly bouncing into a costly error. Despite the scare, he managed to slot in just over a tenth behind Norris. His spirited charge underlined McLaren’s 1-2 dominance, making it clear they came to Austria with serious intent.
Ferrari’s Quiet but Steady Progress
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz didn’t steal headlines, but they quietly worked through their programs. Leclerc finished in fourth, staying close to the frontrunners. Ferrari seemed focused on consistency rather than outright pace, perhaps saving their punches for Qualifying.
Mercedes: Neck-and-Neck Duel
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell found themselves locked in a mini duel of their own. The two Mercedes drivers were separated by just 0.035s, with Russell narrowly ahead. Their consistent lap times hinted at a solid base setup, even if they lacked the explosive speed to challenge the McLarens.
Hadjar’s Wild Spin and Recovery
Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar provided one of the session’s most dramatic moments. After dropping a wheel into the gravel at Turn 9, he spun around but somehow managed to face the right way again. His cheerful “sorry!” over the radio made it a fan-favorite moment. It was a heart-stopping spin that thankfully ended without any serious damage.
Late Session Drama: Norris and Verstappen’s Offs
In the final minutes, Norris set a purple first sector but ran wide on the kerbs and had to abandon his lap. Verstappen, too, spun in a late push, echoing Hadjar’s earlier pirouette. These small mistakes served as reminders that even the best can get it wrong when chasing the limit.
Surprise Performers in the Top Ten
Lance Stroll quietly impressed in P7, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who matched Liam Lawson’s time down to the millisecond. These surprise performances stirred up the midfield, promising an unpredictable Qualifying showdown.
Aston Martin’s Mixed Fortunes
Fernando Alonso ended up 12th, just behind Lawson, suggesting a car that wasn’t quite as comfortable as he’d like. Meanwhile, Stroll’s top-10 effort hinted at potential but also underscored Aston Martin’s inconsistent form this season.
Williams and Haas: Midfield Battles
Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz found themselves just outside the top 10, while Haas’ Ollie Bearman settled for 16th. The tight midfield battle means these positions can swing dramatically in Qualifying, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Alpine and the Struggle at the Back
It was a tough morning for Alpine, with Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto languishing at the back. With only a few hours to adjust before Qualifying, they face an uphill battle to claw their way into Q2.
The Role of Track Limits and Penalties
Track limits played a starring role, with multiple drivers — including Norris and the Ferraris — running wide at Turn 1 and beyond. This added tension to each lap, as even a small error could see times deleted and strategies undone.
Momentum for Qualifying
Norris’ pace gave McLaren a crucial psychological boost ahead of Qualifying. But with Verstappen lurking and Ferrari and Mercedes sharpening their claws, it promises to be a thrilling fight for pole.
Conclusion: Who Holds the Edge?
If FP3 was anything to go by, McLaren holds the cards heading into Qualifying. But in Formula 1, nothing is certain until the chequered flag waves. The tension is thick, the margins are razor-thin, and the drivers are more than ready to roll the dice.
FAQs
1. Why did Norris go fastest in FP3?
Norris used the softest tyre compound and executed near-perfect laps, showcasing McLaren’s strong upgrades.
2. What happened to Verstappen during FP3?
Verstappen struggled with car balance and had a late-session spin, yet still finished third.
3. Was Piastri close to Norris?
Yes, Piastri was only about a tenth behind, highlighting McLaren’s impressive form.
4. How important is FP3 for Qualifying?
FP3 is crucial for final setup tweaks and boosting driver confidence before the intense Qualifying battle.
5. Who were the surprise performers in FP3?
Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto all impressed by breaking into the top ten.
