Austrian GP FP3: Russell Leads Mercedes One-Two Ahead of Hamilton

George Russell topped FP3 for the Austrian Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes one-two from teammate Kimi Antonelli at the Red Bull Ring. Lewis Hamilton placed third for Ferrari, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took fourth and fifth. The session underlined Mercedes' single-lap pace ahead of qualifying, though Aston Martin remained stuck at the rear of the field.

Why it matters:

This was the final practice before qualifying at Spielberg, and Mercedes sent a clear warning to its rivals. Russell's benchmark of 1:07.096s, just 0.038s clear of Antonelli, suggests the team has nailed its low-downforce setup for F1's shortest lap.

The details:

• Mercedes lockout: Russell and Antonelli filled the top two spots, with the rookie only three hundredths behind after 17 laps.
• Ferrari split: Hamilton was a close third, 0.115s off the pace, but Charles Leclerc struggled to match that speed and ended up seventh, almost four tenths down.
• McLaren in contention: Piastri and Norris stayed within a quarter of a second of Russell, keeping the papaya cars firmly in the hunt for the front row.
• Red Bull's gap: Verstappen was sixth, over two tenths adrift, while Isack Hadjar took eighth and banked 27 laps as he continued adapting to his new machinery.
• Backmarker troubles: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll propped up the order, both over 3.3 seconds off the pace, with Cadillac's Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas also mired at the rear.

What's next:

All focus shifts to qualifying, where Mercedes will aim to convert its practice advantage into pole. Ferrari and McLaren look well-placed to challenge, while Red Bull must find answers if Verstappen is to fight for the front row at his home race.