Image: from BoAnalyst Sports X @BoAnalystSports
By Open Chronicle
SPIELBERG, Austria, June 26, 2026, Mercedes made an impressive start to the Austrian Grand Prix weekend as Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in the opening Formula 1 practice session at the Red Bull Ring, leading teammate George Russell in a commanding one-two finish.
Antonelli produced a best lap of 1:07.796, narrowly edging Russell by just four hundredths of a second, while Oscar Piastri placed McLaren third. Defending world champion Max Verstappen recovered from a difficult session to finish fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who completed the top five for Ferrari.
A beautiful day for practice in Austria 🇦🇹 #F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/B154RAdYV8
— SleeperF1 (@SleeperF1) June 26, 2026
Mercedes sets the early benchmark
Mercedes arrived in Austria with a revised battery specification designed to address the reliability issues that forced Antonelli and Russell to retire in recent races. The upgrade appeared to deliver immediate results as both drivers showed strong pace throughout the session.
Antonelli established himself at the top of the timing sheets after switching to soft tyres and remained unbeaten for the remainder of the practice, confirming Mercedes’ encouraging form heading into the weekend.
Russell backed up the performance with second place, giving the Silver Arrows an ideal start at one of Red Bull’s home circuits.
Difficult opening for Verstappen
The session proved far more complicated for Verstappen.
The Dutch driver experienced repeated anti-stall system issues while attempting to leave the garage, forcing multiple aborted departures before finally joining the track. Once running, he continued to report excessive tyre temperatures and instability under braking.
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen improved during the closing stages to finish fourth, keeping Red Bull within striking distance of its rivals.
McLaren and Ferrari continue development
Piastri secured third place despite reporting inconsistent brake performance during several runs.
Teammate Lando Norris lost significant track time because of a hydraulic problem that kept him in the garage for much of the opening half of the session. He eventually returned to the circuit late in the hour and finished seventh after fitting fresh soft tyres.
Ferrari also focused on evaluating several updates. Hamilton steadily improved throughout the session to finish fifth, while rookie Dino Beganovic gained valuable mileage after replacing one of Ferrari’s regular drivers for the mandatory rookie appearance.
Rookie drivers gain valuable experience
Six teams fulfilled Formula 1’s rookie participation requirement during the opening practice session.
Alongside Beganovic, Paul Aron drove for Audi in place of Gabriel Bortoleto, while Luke Browning represented Williams, RyĹŤ Hirakawa appeared for Haas, Jak Crawford drove for Aston Martin, and Ayumu Iwasa took over Racing Bulls machinery.
Audi’s Nico HĂĽlkenberg finished 11th, while Aron concentrated on the team’s evaluation programme before Bortoleto returns for the second practice session.
Red flag ends the session
The practice ended under a red flag after Sergio PĂ©rez stopped near Turn 4 in the closing minutes, preventing the traditional practice starts that teams normally complete after the chequered flag.
Attention now turns to Friday afternoon’s second practice session as teams continue evaluating new aerodynamic packages, updated power units, and race pace simulations ahead of Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Top 10, FP1 Austrian Grand Prix
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1:07.796
- George Russell (Mercedes), +0.040
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren), +0.117
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull), +0.281
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), +0.665
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Dino Beganovic (Ferrari)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)