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The Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Lando Norris pips Oscar Piastri in Austria F1 practice
Lando Norris continued his pace-setting dominance in free practice at the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday by outpacing Australian McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to set the fastest lap. The Briton, who is seeking to erase memories of his nightmare in Montreal where he collided with the championship leading Piastri, clocked a best lap of one minute and 4.324 seconds. Piastri was 0.118 seconds off the pace. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. 'In these temperatures, the McLarens at high speed are going to be very difficult to match,' admitted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Wolff again confirmed interest in Verstappen, but added Russell, victorious in Canada two weeks ago, had been 'splendid' and 'has done a great job this year.' Lando Norris set the pace during practice in Austria. Norris, fastest on Friday, was soon in command with a 1min 5.412sec lap and by the midway mark he had trimmed that to 1min 4.888sec with Hamilton second, three-tenths adrift. Russell, seen by many as vulnerable at Mercedes if Verstappen arrived, was third ahead of Piastri. With 20 minutes remaining, Piastri pushed with too much speed into Turn Nine and swept through the gravel, a moment that required a visit to the pits. Verstappen — whose 'orange army' of supporters boosted the size of the crowd — also pitted with his car's floor receiving attention. He was 11th on the time-screens as Norris improved his best lap to 1:04.324, a five-tenths cut to go seven-tenths clear. With 10 minutes to go, Piastri found the pace to go second, 0.118 behind Norris before Verstappen went third ousting Leclerc to fourth ahead of Hamilton. NORRIS, PIASTRI RENEW RIVALRY AFTER CANADIAN GP CLASH Lando Norris bounced back from his Canadian catastrophe with his customary smile on Friday after topping the times ahead of teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri as McLaren reeled off a solid 1-2 in practice at the Austrian Grand Prix. As the paddock digested news that Mercedes had held talks about possibly signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull alongside George Russell in 2026 Norris clocked a best lap in one minute and 4.580 seconds to beat Piastri by 0.157 seconds. Four-time champion Max Verstappen was third fastest for Red Bull, adrift by 0.318 seconds. For Norris, who sat out the first session at the Red Bull Ring, it was a relief to move on from his collision with teammate Piastri in Montreal where he retired pointless, admitting he had 'made a fool of myself'. 'I didn't mind sitting on the pit wall,' he said, with a grin, referring to missing the morning session. 'I actually felt a lot more relaxed there than in the car, especially here. Oscar Piastri (R) and McLaren teammate Lando Norris have built up a strong rivalry this season. Picture: Getty 'I've always enjoyed this track. The car felt good right from the start. Alex (Dunne, reserve driver) gave solid feedback this morning after FP1 and was on pace straight away, which was encouraging to see.' Norris added that he was pleased with the development of the car with McLaren's latest upgrades. 'They definitely moved the car in the right direction for FP2,' he said. 'Now, we just need to figure out if we want more of that tomorrow, less, or somewhere in between. 'So, it's a good step forward, but hopefully there's still a bit more to come.' McLaren came to the Styrian Alps with three performance-based updates including aerodynamic revisions of the front and rear of the car and suspension. Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the title race, said he was satisfied with his first day in the car. Oscar Piastri flies around the track in practice ahead of the Austria Grand Prix. Picture: Getty 'It looked pretty good,' he said. 'Max is still close, so I think he'll definitely be a threat this weekend, but the car's feeling good. I think the pace is quite good, so a positive first day.' He added that both he and Norris had 'all the parts that we think will make the car faster' on their cars. Verstappen, who took his time to improve through the sessions, said: 'We didn't have any big issues. 'We lack a bit of pace and had too much understeer, both on the short and the long run. So that is something we have to try to get rid of.' Lance Stroll was fourth for Aston Martin ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, George Russell of Mercedes, who won last year and two weeks ago in Canada, and Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull. Gabriel Bortoleto was eighth for Sauber ahead of two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, struggling in his updated Ferrari. George Russell during practice in Austria. Picture: Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images Norris added: 'We've shown a bit more pace than some others, so I certainly think they're going to catch up. Max is not far behind and they normally improve a lot on Saturday. 'So I expect a good day tomorrow (Saturday) and I'm sure we'll improve on some things, but it's not as easy as maybe it looked. 'I think it's still going to be tight tomorrow – it always is. There's no reason for it not to be, but we'll work hard to make it as big of a gap as possible.' Hamilton struggles again Lewis Hamilton's difficult start to life at Ferrari continued on Friday as he was handed a warning by the race stewards after winding up 10th in second practice for the Austrian Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was alleged to have impeded his successor at Mercedes, Italian teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli, at turn four of the fast and technical Red Bull Ring circuit in the Styrian Alps. Lewis Hamilton's struggles at Ferrari continue. Picture: Luca Martini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Hamilton apologised immediately and explained that he had not seen Antonelli approaching behind him as he descended over the crest of a hill on a slow lap and drifted into the racing line. Hamilton raised his hand to signal his apology to Antonelli as he passed him. After speaking to Hamilton, the stewards decided to give the Briton a formal warning – the usual sanction for such a misdemeanour in practice. It is the third time this season that Hamilton has been warned. 'The driver of car 44 (Hamilton), although constantly checking his mirrors after being informed by the team about car 12 (Antonelli) closing in, slowly moved on to the racing line on the approach to turn four and thereby unnecessarily impeded car 12 which had to take evasive action,' said the stewards in a statement.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Alex Dunne claims sensational victory in chaotic Grand Prix as Irish teenage prodigy retakes F2 Championship lead
ALEX DUNNE is back on top of the F2 Championship with just five races to go after a sensational victory in a chaotic Belgian GP. The Irish teenager, 19, took a commanding win in treacherous conditions that forced the Formula 3 race to be cancelled. Advertisement 3 Alex Dunne is back on top of the Formula 2 Championship Credit: James Sutton - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images 3 He won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday Credit: James Sutton - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images 3 The race was bogged down by wet conditions Credit: James Sutton - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images The championship standings where he holds a 15 point lead over Richard Verschoor. It was his third F2 win of the season after success in Bahrain and Imola earlier in the campaign. Disqualification from the Austrian GP led to him dropping to third in the championship but a podium finish in Silverstone and victory in Belgium saw him jump back to the top. The Offaly starlet had to demonstrate all of his immense talent to do so in a race that was plagued by wet conditions. Advertisement Read More on Alex Dunne Rain had lashed on the track on Sunday morning to the extent that the Formula 3 feature was cancelled. Alex Dunne's star has been on the rise since signing for the McLaren Driver Development Program in May 2024. In February, he joined the Rodin Motorsport F2 team and success swiftly followed. In March, he finished ninth in the sprint race in Advertisement Most read in Motorsport That landmark gave him the outright lead in the F2 Championship, a position he reclaimed with a win in Imola in May. It was not all plain sailing, however, as his involvement in an 11-car crash in Barcelona led to Alex Alex Dunne reunites with faily after Formula 1 debut at Austrian GP Dunne responded to the abuse by making a sensational Formula 1 debut, filling in for Dunne was the Advertisement He was not overawed by the occasion as he clocked the fourth fastest time, faster than the likes of Hamilton . Only Oscar Piastri were faster. He was disqualified from the F2 Austrian GP that same weekend but bounced back in style with his fifth podium of the season in Silverstone in July. The 19-year-old is not looking beyond the end of this current season, but has grand designs for what he will have accomplished. Advertisement In an "The best opportunity I am going to give myself to be an F1 driver is by winning F2. I think it is as simple as that. "If I get the opportunities to do another FP1, it will be to do the exact same thing I did in Austria but even better. "If I can continue to improve and do a good job every time I get in the car, that will help my chances." Advertisement
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Insider Surprised by George Russell's Contract Status
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard is surprised about George Russell not having a confirmed seat for the 2026 season, calling it "bizarre." Russell's Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025, but talks of his contract extension are currently on hold, reportedly due to Mercedes' ongoing discussions with Max Verstappen. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged his interest in signing the four-time world champion but confirmed that Russell and his current teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will likely form the 2026 driver lineup. However, Wolff didn't hesitate to admit that Verstappen was on his radar for Mercedes' long-term future. Russell has proved his level of performance in the last two years. He outscored his former teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, in the 2024 Drivers' Standings. Russell also won the Canadian Grand Prix last month, a race that highlighted his capabilities. With the summer break approaching soon, Coulthard finds it "bizarre" that a talent like Russell is left without a seat for 2026. He told "George not being officially signed [for the 2026 season] is slightly bizarre. George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes travels in the paddock on a scooter during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes travels in the paddock on a scooter during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria."Based on the performance right now, even if there was a change in Mercedes' line-up, you wouldn't think it would be George who would be the change. "There are a few things we're all waiting on to fall into place." Coulthard has hinted that he is eager to see who and when Mercedes signs for the 2026 season. For Russell, though, the priority is to focus on his performance. Revealing that he has no reason to be worried while addressing his contract, the Briton said before the Austrian GP: "No major updates yet. It's not something that I'm pressing massively because, as I've always said, the performance is the priority, and I feel with the performance I'm showing at the moment - still in line with the performance I've shown over all these years - I've got zero reasons to be worried. "But obviously, it does help if there was pen on paper. But let's see." Addressing Mercedes' talks with Verstappen, Russell added: "From my side, I don't think I have anything really to worry about. I think, as a team, it depends where you put your aspirations. We're second best at the moment, maybe third best. We might be overperforming slightly to be second best. "As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on top you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing. "So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing. But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team."
Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Qatar Tribune
Marquez fends off Bezzecchi for Czech MotoGP victory
Agencies Brno (Czech Republic) The 'unstoppable' Marc Marquez emerged victorious yet again on Sunday at the Czech MotoGP to become the first Ducati rider to win five Grands Prix on the spin, but he was made to work for it in the first half of the battle. It was the Spaniard's eighth victory in 12 races this season and fifth in a row, extending his commanding lead in the world championship. The factory Ducati rider beat Marco Bezzecchi on an Aprilia by almost two seconds, while Pedro Acosta on a KTM came in third in his first race podium finish of the season. Marquez had a fifth straight perfect weekend, winning both the sprint on Saturday and Sunday's race. The 32-year-old Spaniard now leads the world championship with 381 points, 120 ahead of his younger brother Alex who crashed, and 168 ahead of Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia. 'It has been a super first part of the season and especially these last races,' Marquez said. 'I feel better and better and I'm riding super good,' he added. Bagnaia started from pole in bright sunshine but only retained the lead until the second lap when Bezzecchi eased past him, with Marquez following suit soon afterwards. Acosta did the same to settle down in third after getting a boost from a second-place finish in Saturday's sprint. Marquez glided past Bezzecchi in lap eight as the runaway trio kept building up their lead, and as so often this season kept widening the gap comfortably. The three stayed put until the finish line, although fourth-placed Bagnaia gave Acosta a hard time pressing from behind. 'The first lap was unbelievable,' said Bezzecchi. 'I had so much fun in the first half of the race but unfortunately when Marc passed me I immediately saw that he had something more.' 'I tried to attack but he was strong. Anyway, I made a fantastic performance, I'm very, very happy,' added the Italian. Marquez took 40min 04.628sec to complete the 21 laps on the resurfaced 5.4-kilometre Brno circuit returning to the MotoGP calendar after a five-year break due to financial woes. Bezzecchi crossed the line 1.753 seconds adrift, while Acosta trailed Marquez by 3.366sec. Almost 220,000 fans gathered in the stands for the weekend as Marquez sped to his fourth MotoGP win at Brno after 2013, 2017 and 2019. The MotoGP circus will now take a summer break and resume with the Austrian GP on August 15-17.
Observer
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Marc Marquez cruises to Czech MotoGP win
Marc Marquez won the Czech MotoGP on Sunday for his eighth victory in 12 races this season and fifth in a row, extending his commanding lead in the world championship. The factory Ducati rider beat Marco Bezzecchi on an Aprilia by almost two seconds, while Pedro Acosta on a KTM came in third in his first race podium finish of the season. Marquez had a fifth straight perfect weekend, winning both the sprint on Saturday and Sunday's race. The 32-year-old Spaniard now leads the world championship with 381 points, 120 ahead of his younger brother Alex who crashed, and 168 ahead of Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia started from pole on a sunny Sunday at Brno but only retained the lead until the second lap when Bezzecchi eased past him, with Marquez following suit soon afterwards. Acosta did the same to settle down in third after getting a boost from a third-place finish in Saturday's sprint. Marquez glided past Bezzecchi in lap eight as the runaway trio kept building up their lead, and as so often this season kept widening the gap comfortably. The three stayed put until the finish line, although fourth-placed Bagnaia gave Acosta a hard time pressing from behind. Reigning world champion Jorge Martin collected his first points after finishing seventh in the first race he has completed this year. Martin sat out the first three races following two pre-season crashes, and when he returned at Qatar in April, he crashed heavily again during the race and missed the next seven. Alex Marquez retired after crashing in lap two to leave Brno without a point following a disappointing 17th spot in the sprint race. He took out Joan Mir who also walked away from the gravel safety area, just like Enea Bastianini a lap later. The MotoGP circus will now take a summer break and resume with the Austrian GP on August 15-17. — AFP
