George Russell secured the fastest lap in the final practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, recording a time of 1m 07.096s. The Mercedes driver surpassed teammate Kimi Antonelli at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on July 1, 2026.
What happened
The final practice session lasted one hour under warm conditions, with air temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius. Sergio Perez was the first driver to take to the track at 12:30 local time. Lando Norris initially set the pace with a time of 1m 07.832s. Russell, who started in third place, made a strong effort in the final minutes to finish ahead of Antonelli, who had recorded a time of 1m 07.134s. Russell expressed confidence in his car after the session.
Why it matters
This performance reflects the competitive dynamics of the Austrian Grand Prix. As qualifying approaches, teams will focus on refining strategies to secure favorable starting positions for the race.
Background
The previous day’s Free Practice 2 presented challenges, with both Perez and Valtteri Bottas encountering issues that curtailed their sessions. These developments emphasized the need for all teams to maximize their final practice opportunities.
What's next
Qualifying is set to begin at 16:00 local time on July 1, 2026, during which teams will finalize their setups aiming for optimal positions for the race.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date of the Austrian Grand Prix?
The Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
Related coverage on CR Today
Sources
- CR Today — George Russell topped final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix (accessed 2026-06-27)
