Formula 1 News: Russell tops Practice 1 for 2025 GP of Austria
Mercedes F1 driver George Russell (pictured) turned a lap of 1m05.542s to top Practice 1 for the 2025 GP of Austria at the Red Bull Ring.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Russell’s lap in the powerful Mercedes powered car was 0.065s faster than the Red Bull Honda of Max Verstappen as he continues to carry the RB21 on his back. His teammate, Yuki Tsunoda was 0.72s slower, down in 17th, as he continues to struggle with the diabolical RB21 sled.
Oscar Piastri was third fastest in the superior McLaren, 0.155s behind Russell.
The McLaren is so superior, F2 driver jumped in the car and was immediately 4th fastest, 0.224s behind Russell.
Pierre Gasly rounded out the top-5 for Alpine, 0.238s behind Russell.
Russell’s lap was just over a second slower than last year’s pole time.
His teammate Kimi Antonelli was 11th in the end, but he will improve as the weekend wears on.
1.1s covered the entire field on the green track.
2025 GP of Austria Practice 1 Result
| Pos | No. | Driver | Nat | Team | Time | Behind |
| 1 | 63 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m05.542s | +0.000s |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1m05.607s | +0.065s |
| 3 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren F1 Team | 1m05.766s | +0.155s |
| 4 | 89 | Alex Dunne | IRL | McLaren F1 Team | 1m05.766s | +0.224s |
| 5 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1m05.780s | +0.238s |
| 6 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber | 1m05.874s | +0.332s |
| 7 | 23 | Alex Albon | THA | Atlassian Williams Racing | 1m05.946s | +0.404s |
| 8 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Atlassian Williams Racing | 1m06.017s | +0.475s |
| 9 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m06.099s | +0.557s |
| 10 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m06.110s | +0.568s |
| 11 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m06.130s | +0.588s |
| 12 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber | 1m06.140s | +0.598s |
| 13 | 18 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m06.160s | +0.618s |
| 14 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m06.170s | +0.628s |
| 15 | 30 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m06.189s | +0.647s |
| 16 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1m06.246s | +0.704s |
| 17 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1m06.262s | +0.720s |
| 18 | 38 | Dino Beganovic | SWE | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m06.369s | +0.827s |
| 19 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team | 1m06.510s | +0.968s |
| 20 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team | 1m06.738s | +1.196s |