Brendan Lines July 11, 2020 09:00am

An incident at Turn 9 in the opening minutes of FP2 put Daniel Ricciardo out for the session while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the fastest time in free practice for the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

Verstappen had some choice words as he was held up in traffic by Mercedes Valtteri Bottas on an early flying lap, but the Dutchman later put in a fastest 1:03.660s around half a second clear of Lewis Hamilton’s fastest time in free practice at the Red Bull Ring last week.

Max Verstappen closely followed by Alex Albon in FP2 – Image: Redbullcontentpool.com

“The car already feels better than last week, the balance is a lot nicer to drive and we have made a good step. It is only Friday Practice and of course it is too early to say how we are looking against Mercedes, but from our side I think we are quite happy,” Verstappen said after practice.

“We have tried a few different directions to understand the car a bit more and I think we are heading the right way which I’m pleased about.”

“We have to see what will happen tomorrow with the weather but otherwise we will find out where we really are on Sunday.”

Red Bull teammate Alex Albon still struggled with his car setup posting 7th fastest .777s off Verstappen’s pace.

Bottas (P2) and Hamilton (P6) are still a little off their scintillating pace last week, leaving the door wide open for Red Bull to capitalise, Hamilton suggested after practice the field might be catching up on Mercedes’ pace.

“It seems like the field is bunching up a bit more, but it’s always tough to read into what happened in practice. We’ve got some work to do, to look into the data and find out what’s going on,” Hamilton said.

The session was red-flagged in the opening 15 minutes after Daniel Ricciardo lost the rear end of his Renault, Ricciardo limped away for a precautionary visit to the medical centre.

With no time set for the session, the Aussie will hope the bleak weather for Saturday does not wash-out qualifying as the grid will be calculated off drivers FP2 times.

“Unfortunately, it was a very short second session for us. That first push lap was going quite well up until Turn 9.” he said.

“It was a mistake, it all happened very quickly so I’m not sure what went wrong. I turned in and just lost the car straight away.”

“I know these things happen with cars and in Formula 1, so it’s not out of the ordinary.”

“I’m OK, however, I feel bad for the guys. We’ll just move on. The car felt fine this morning, especially towards the end. The second session would have been interesting, so we’ll just have to find out our pace tomorrow or Sunday.”

Racing Point continued to flaunt its founded speed, after Perez topped FP1, he backed up his earlier effort with a 1:03.877s securing P3 favouring the soft (C4) tyres, teammate Lance Stroll was right behind Perez in P4 around four tenths off.

Lando Norris was handed a three-place grid penalty after overtaking under a yellow flag in FP1, P8 was his best while Carlos Saint put in more solid long runs on the medium (C3) and softs (C4) for P5 +.673s off Verstappen.

Ferrari again wrestled with getting pace as drivers Charles Leclerc managed to scrape together P9 just four hundredths ahead of Renault’s Esteban Ocon in P10, Sebastian Vettel was P16 nearly two seconds off the leaders.

Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kyvat are knocking on the door of the top ten finishing P11 and P12r respectively, Gasly did drop from P8 in FP1, but his FP2 time was nearly one second faster.

Williams opted for high-fuel runs, yet drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi were still able to post P15 and P17 ahead of both Haas cars.

Haas’ Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen rounded out the field in P19 and P20, Team Principal Guenther Steiner says the team has ‘a lot of work in front of us.’

FP3 begins tonight 07:30pm with Qualifying 10:30pm AEST.

Top featured image – Dan Ricciardo walks away from wrecked R.S.20 – Image: Fox Sports

Brendan Lines     July 10, 2020 09:15pm

Sergio Perez flaunted Racing Point’s burgeoning speed in FP1 for the Styrian Grand Prix going fastest in a session that had all the hallmarks of a testing day as teams looked for reliability over outright pace.

There was plenty of flow-vis paint and aero rakes on display early in the session as teams began testing a raft of new updates.

As the weather forecast in the Styrian Hills looks bleak for Saturday, times from FP2 later tonight may be counted towards qualifying if weather is inclement, which could potentially mix up the grid for Sunday.

Sergio Perez Racing Point – Image: Racingpointf1.com

Notably, Ferrari brought forward its new front wing, floor and diffuser this week, ahead of its original ETA slated for Hungary next week, but drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are yet to reap any reward finishing 10th and 12th just under a second slower than Perez.

Red Bull however benefited from its rear-wing upgrades improving its middle sector pace as Max Verstappen was second fastest just point-two of a second adrift.

Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Alex Albon struggled with understeer on his car setup managing sixth fastest.

Last weeks winner Valtteri Bottas and his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton appeared to be treading lightly after the Red Bull Ring curbs sent shockwaves through their gearboxes last week, went 3rd and 4th fastest.

McLaren’s Carlos Sainz racked up 39 laps testing the MCL35 pace on long runs with the hard (C1) and softs (C4) tyres, Sainz went seventh fastest while Lando Norris finished 14th.

The session was red-flagged mid way through after Williams’ Nicholas Latifi’s gearbox lost drive.

At the resumption, Perez lifted the pace being the first driver to get into the 1:04s, as the rest of the field was happy to lap in the 1:05s testing their pace on the longer runs.

Daniel Ricciardo also ran long on the hard (C1) and medium (C2) his pace over one-lap was enough to finish 9th, while teammate Esteban Ocon was 13th on the same tyres.

Robert Kubica in his first run back with Alfa Romeo was 18th while Kimi Raikkonen went 15th testing over long runs.

Alpha Tauri were the quiet achievers strictly running the mediums (C2) on both cars with Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kyvat finishing 9th and 11th respectively.

Haas’ Kevin Magnussen had his car in bit across the garage all session with a battery problem, Romain Grosjean lugged his VF-20 around on the hard (C1) and medium (C2) tyres in 16th.

Williams’ Jack Aitken impressed in 17th in his first full practice session.

FP2 for the Styrian GP begins 10:30pm tonight.

FP1 Results:

POS	NO	DRIVER	CAR	TIME	GAP	LAPS
1	11	Sergio Perez	RACING POINT BWT MERCEDES	1:04.867		32
2	33	Max Verstappen	RED BULL RACING HONDA	1:04.963	+0.096s	31
3	77	Valtteri Bottas	MERCEDES	1:05.089	+0.222s	31
4	44	Lewis Hamilton	MERCEDES	1:05.120	+0.253s	29
5	18	Lance Stroll	RACING POINT BWT MERCEDES	1:05.396	+0.529s	36
6	23	Alexander Albon	RED BULL RACING HONDA	1:05.483	+0.616s	28
7	55	Carlos Sainz	MCLAREN RENAULT	1:05.602	+0.735s	40
8	10	Pierre Gasly	ALPHATAURI HONDA	1:05.698	+0.831s	27
9	3	Daniel Ricciardo	RENAULT	1:05.769	+0.902s	31
10	5	Sebastian Vettel	FERRARI	1:05.770	+0.903s	25
11	26	Daniil Kvyat	ALPHATAURI HONDA	1:05.815	+0.948s	28
12	16	Charles Leclerc	FERRARI	1:05.837	+0.970s	28
13	31	Esteban Ocon	RENAULT	1:05.874	+1.007s	35
14	4	Lando Norris	MCLAREN RENAULT	1:05.908	+1.041s	25
15	7	Kimi Räikkönen	ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI	1:06.441	+1.574s	23
16	8	Romain Grosjean	HAAS FERRARI	1:06.446	+1.579s	31
17	40	Jack Aitken	WILLIAMS MERCEDES	1:06.768	+1.901s	35
18	88	Robert Kubica	ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI	1:06.797	+1.930s	31
19	6	Nicholas Latifi	WILLIAMS MERCEDES	1:09.598	+4.731s	6
20	20	Kevin Magnussen	HAAS FERRARI

Brendan Lines July 10, 2020 02:30pm

After a DNF dampened Daniel Ricciardo’s return to Formula 1 at the Austrian Grand Prix last week, the Australian is back at the Red Bull Ring albeit for the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend, with fresh motivation from signs Renault’s pace will head the mid field.

The anomaly of 2020 continues as for the first time Formula 1 visits the same venue in successive race weekends.

It’s nothing new for Formula 1 to return to a country for multiple races as the European Grand Prix appeared in existing host Grand Prix countries; Britain, Spain Azerbaijan and Germany, strangely Germany’s second race was called the Luxembourg Grand Prix — however these races have been raced on an entirely different circuits.

Ricciardo leading Alpha Tauri, Haas and Alfa Romeo cars at the Austrian GP – Image: Renaultsport.com

Ricciardo says a second bite at the Red Bull Ring might have it’s advantages for Renault from the outset of tonight’s FP1 session.

“I think Friday practice could look different as we already know the tyres and all the little details about the circuit,” he said.

Renault has chosen to favour the soft tyres this weekend allocating eight sets to Ricciardo, along with three sets of the medium C4 and two of the hard C2.

“We’ll look to refine some key areas to make sure we’re well prepared for both qualifying and race. I’m excited to get going again as we know anything can happen in Formula 1 and we want to be in a position to capitalise on any opportunity.”

Renault’s improvements were noticeable last week coming out of the lockdown period, as Ricciardo was as high as fifth fastest in FP2, Ricciardo is certain his car does have qualifying pace.

“I think there were a lot of positives from the weekend, our qualifying pace was up there, and I know with a clean lap we could have been further up the grid. That’s the goal for this weekend,” he said.

“Qualifying, we were a bit unlucky with the yellow, otherwise I think we were a top seven, safe to say top eight car. I think we’re there, at least where we want to be. We’re certainly in that fight.”

While Ricciardo remained in Austria, Renault revealed the big news of the week signing two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso as Ricciardo’s replacement in 2021.

Alonso has signalled he will attend some races this year.

Speaking to The Race, Ricciardo dismissed any suggestions he might ‘help out’ the spaniard’s return lending his seat to Alonso for any FP1 sessions in 2020.

“No, because I heard the words ‘help Fernando’. He doesn’t need any help, Ricciardo said.

“It didn’t look like he slowed down at all with age. His last season in F1 [with McLaren in 2018] was a pretty strong one from everything I heard and saw.

“Obviously the results weren’t always there but as far as getting the most out of the car, I think that was pretty evident that he was so I don’t think he needs help.”

Ricciardo fans will also need to watch the Aussie’s future team McLaren, who continue their resurgence as Lando Norris scored a podium finish and posted McLaren’s best qualifying result (4th) in six years at last weeks season re-start.

FP1 for the Styrian Grand Prix starts 06:30pm local time

Brendan Lines July 8, 2020 11:18pm

It is official Fernando Alonso will replace Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo at Renault, the team Alonso won his two World titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, the Spaniard will partner current driver Esteban Ocon in 2021 on a reported two-year deal.

Alonso left Formula 1 in 2018 off the back of a disappointing run with McLaren, however since his departure Alonso seemingly left the door open never saying he was done with F1.

Glory days Alonso at the Japanese Grand Prix in his first stint at Renault – Image: Reanaultsport.com

“Renault is my family, my fondest memories in Formula One with my two World Championship titles, but I’m now looking ahead. It’s a great source of pride and with an immense emotion I’m returning to the team that gave me my chance at the start of my career and which now gives me the opportunity to return to the highest level,” he said.

It will be Alonso’s third stint with Renault after he left to join McLaren in 2007, but after tensions with the team and Lewis Hamilton he returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari in 2010

Alonso’s last victory with Renault was at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2008.

With Formula 1’s budget cap reduced in 2021 and stable regulations carrying over as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, Formula 1 has remained a viable option for Groupe Renault after some doubts over its involvement in Formula 1.

“I have principles and ambitions in line with the team’s project,” Alonso said.

Their progress this winter gives credibility to the objectives for the 2022 season and I will share all my racing experience with everyone from the engineers to the mechanics and my team-mates.”

“ The team wants and has the means to get back on the podium, as do I.”

Alonso who will be 39 when he returns, appears to be looking at the long game with Renault says Team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

“The signing of Fernando Alonso is part of Groupe Renault’s plan to continue its commitment to F1 and to return to the top of the field,” he said.

“His presence in our team is a formidable asset on the sporting level but also for the brand to which he is very attached. The strength of the bond between him, the team and the fans make him a natural choice.”

“In addition to past successes, it is a bold mutual choice as well as a project for the future. His experience and determination will enable us to get the best out of each other to take the team towards the excellence that modern Formula 1 demands.”

“He will also bring to our team, which has grown very fast, a culture of racing and winning to overcome hurdles together. Alongside Esteban, his mission will be to help Renault DP World F1 Team prepare for the 2022 season in the best possible conditions.”

But is Renault’s pitch to Alonso reminiscent to the same sell that lured Ricciardo form Red Bull?

While it all sounded great at the time Renault hasn’t delivered as late slipping from it’s place as being the fourth best constructor in 2018, losing out to engine customer McLaren in the 2019 Constructors Championship and now Ricciardo for 2021.

But anything can happen in Formula 1 and Alonso knows this too.

In recent weeks Alonso’s return may have been Formula 1’s best or worst kept secret, as Abiteboul was quick to dismiss reports of an imminent signing from Spanish newspapers over the weekend’s Grand Prix in Austria,

Teammate-to be Esteban Ocon said he would be “very happy” when asked about the prospect of Alonso joining the team at the Red Bull Ring last week.

Alonso’s attempt to race this year’s Indy 500 for McLaren, should not be affected by the announcement, but it may now suggest he has one shot to secure the elusive triple crown.

As Renault does not have an interest in Indycar, unlike his last team McLaren who let Alonso compete in the 2017 Indy 500 the same weekend its F1 team raced in Monaco.

Featured Image: Fernando Alonso Image: Skysports

Brendan Lines.     July 8, 2020 02:50pm

Formula 1 three time World Champion and legend Sir Jackie Stewart is no stranger to fighting for change, his charity Race Against Dementia has today launched two new dementia research Post-doctoral Fellowships in partnership with Dementia Australia.

Known as a force for change in Formula 1 safety during his time as driver, Stewart is now a leading voice and fundraiser in the area of dementia research.

“A key priority for Race Against Dementia is to form strong alliances with research centres of excellence globally and by establishing this fellowship we recognise Australia among this group and hope to attract the best and brightest researchers in this field,” he said.

The effects of dementia are very close to home for Stewart, his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years Lady Helen Stewart, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014.

Helen Stewart congratulates her husband Jackie on his 1968 Dutch Grand Prix victory at Zandvoort with a kiss, – Image Schlegelmilch & raceagainstdementia.com

Helen supported her husband all through his career as a Formula 1 driver, speaking to ABC’s RN Breakfast, Stewart said Helen worked as timekeeper and lap counter for him.

“She had a brain on her at that time that was quite extraordinary, she would take twenty six Grand Prix cars going around the circuit on one split second stop watch overtime and do a lap chart at the same time,” he said. 

Stewart spoke candidly about the challenges of his wife’s illness and how that relates to the gap in care and research in the area of dementia.

“Dementia is really a terrible burden on a family and not too many folk can afford what I’m putting into making sure Helen is cared for in the proper fashion,” he said.

“It costs more money to look after dementia patient than it does for the combined total of cancer and heart disease, for a dementia patient at home it’s considerable pressure on a family.”

Sir Jackie and Lady Stewart attending the 2009 Italian Grand Prix – Image: raceagainstdementia.com

Stewart had planned to make the announcement at an event organised by Melbourne property investor Craig Joel who has worked with Stewart on similar events in the past.

But the Australian Grand Prix’s cancellation in March this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the fundraiser.

The Chair of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, Professor Graeme Samuel AC, honoured Stewart’s pledge and acknowledged Mr Joel’s commitment to supporting Australian dementia researchers.

“We too acknowledge Mr Joel for his enthusiasm and generosity of time and spirit to help to make this programme a reality,” Professor Samuel said. “And we are absolutely delighted to launch the fellowship powered by Sir Jackie’s vision and commitment to dementia research.

“These fellowships form part of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s 2020 grant round, with over AUD $1.7 million in funding on offer for early-career researchers.”

“Two, three-year dementia research fellowships of AUD $405,000 will be awarded, in biomedical, clinical or psychosocial areas of dementia research. Fellowships include a generous salary as well as funding for project expenses.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic Formula 1 has backed health initiatives as part of Project Pitlane for the manufacture of respirators, the sport has now responded to Stewart’s call.

“We are using Formula 1 as a good example of problem solving, we’re lined up with McLaren and Red Bull to get our PhD’s to see how quickly change occurs in Formula 1 faster than any activity in the world today,” he said.

For Dementia Australia Grant information: https://www.dementia.org.au/research/grants

For Race Against Dementia information: https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

Brendan Lines July 8, 2020 09:30am

Formula 1’s comeback king Robert Kubica will make his on-track debut in anger with Alfa Romeo for this Friday’s FP1 at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria.

The 35-year old Polish driver will get back into an F1 cockpit on a Grand Prix weekend for the first time since driving for Williams in 2019.

“I am looking forward to returning to action this weekend, especially after the long break the whole world of motorsport had to observe. My objective, as always, is to provide as much data as possible for our engineers and to give them my feedback from within the cockpit,” he said.

“This weekend will be quite a new experience for everyone, racing in the same venue we were on just a few days ago, so it will be a matter of refining all the data we collected over the course of the Austrian Grand Prix and testing the adjustments we want to make to the cars.”

Kubica getting familiar again with the C39 – Image: Alfa Romeo Racing

Kubica scored Williams its only world championship point last season at the German Grand Prix.

However, it wont be the first time the Pol will drive Alfa’s C39, as he completed laps for the team’s pre season testing at Barcelona earlier this year before the lockdown period.

Kubica’s F1 career came to a grinding halt in 2011 after a horrific rallying accident in Italy which almost completely severed his right hand, just as a move to Ferrari was on the cards.

Although his return with Williams as a test driver in 2018 and full-time grand prix driver in 2019 was heralded as one of the sports greatest triumphs over adversity in modern times.

This occasion is a true homecoming for Kubica, as he now will go a full-circle driving for Alfa previously in it’s former guise as BMW-Sauber.

It was with Sauber Kubica took his his debut and only F1 victory to date at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008.

Kubica will replace Alfa driver Antonio Giovinazzi for FP1 and will add much needed development to the car says Alfa Team principal Frédéric Vasseur.

“I am looking forward to seeing Robert in the car on Friday. A driver with his experience always comes up with valuable feedback and he’ll be able to help us continue learning about our car,” Vassuer said.

“Robert was with the team last weekend, of course, and so he is fully aware of everything that was discussed in the engineering meetings and during each session: it’ll be a chance for him to experience the car by himself and, armed with that knowledge, help us progress further.”

Kubica’s valuable feedback comes as the team will want to improve on its mixed bag of results from last week’s Austrian Grand Prix with a 9th place for Giovinazzi and a DNF for Kimi Raikkonen.

Feature image above: Robert Kubica – Image: Alfa Romeo Racing

Brendan Lines July 6, 2020 02:00am

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas lead from pole to the chequered flag taking first place in a drama filled Austrian Grand Prix, surprise podium finishes went to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (second) and McLaren’s Lando Norris (third).

Formula 1 fans have waited long enough to go racing and the opening round of 2020 did not disappoint to excite as multiple incidents, safety cars and penalties kept up a high rate of attrition in the Austrian Grand Prix right to the final lap — only 11 cars out of 20 starters went the full distance.

Bottas lead from the start, setting a scintillating pace to break away from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who was promoted to second on the grid as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took a three-place grid penalty prior to the race.

But an electrical issue that triggered Verstappen’s Red Bull to go into anti-stall ruined the Dutchman’s day retiring on lap 13.

There was further disappointment for Australian Daniel Ricciardo who retired on lap 16 with an engine cooling issue.

Hamilton hunted his way through the pack from fifth eating into Bottas’ six second lead.

The first of three safety cars for the race came when Haas’ Kevin Magnussen had a right front brake failure and left the track at Turn 2.

Mercedes took the opportunity to pit Bottas and Hamilton in a well disciplined text book double-stack during the safety-car period.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Mercs as vibrations from hitting the unforgiving curbs of the Red Bull Ring wrecked havoc on both cars gearbox sensors to the point of being critical — both cars were ordered to take less than ideal lines to avoid the curbs.

The second safety car came on lap 51 after Williams’ Gerorge Russell retired with engine failure, bringing Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Red Bull’s Alex Albon into contention against the Mercs.

Albon pitted for soft tyres and was able to take third off Perez, just before a third safety -car period.

Albon’s gamble on the softs was paying off as his Red Bull posed a threat to Hamilton, Albon’s dive around Hamilton’s outside resulted in an incident reminiscent of Brazil 2019 — eventually Albon’s day was done when he ran foul of a similar electrical issue as teammate Vertappen and was forced to retire.

Hamilton was handed a five second penalty for causing the incident with Albon.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc turned around his slow qualifying into race pace, combining tyre strategy and opportunity to progress to third place in the closing stages. His teammate Sebastian Vettel posted a forgettable tenth that included spinning out at Turn 2 trying to avoid contact with a Racing Point.

But it was the battle for fourth between Perez and Norris that went down to the line, as Norris managed to pass Perez in the closing laps then went on to post the fastest lap of the race on the final lap.

Norris’ all-in last lap to take fourth had the added benefit of closing the gap to the leaders to be awarded third after Hamilton served his five-second penalty, which also promoted Leclerc to second.

Bottas kept clear of incident and the unpredictability behind him to remain victorious taking valuable points, an ideal start to what is for now a season that will be uncertain as to exactly how it unfolds in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Formula 1 returns to the Red Bull Ring for the Styrian Grand Prix next week.

Full results below:

Place 1	Driver Valtteri Bottas	Team Mercedes	Laps 71	Laps lead 71	Total Time 1h30m55.739s55.739s	Fastest Lap 1m07.657s	Pitstops 2	Points 25
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	71	0	+2.7s	1m07.901s	3	18
3	Lando Norris	McLaren-Renault	71	0	+5.491s	1m07.475s	3	16
4	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	71	0	+5.689s	1m07.712s	2	12
5	Carlos Sainz Jr.	McLaren-Renault	71	0	+8.903s	1m07.904s	3	10
6	Sergio Pérez	Racing Point-Mercedes	71	0	+15.092s	1m08.305s	2	8
7	Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri-Honda	71	0	+16.682s	1m09.025s	2	6
8	Esteban Ocon	Renault	71	0	+17.456s	1m08.932s	2	4
9	Antonio Giovinazzi	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	71	0	+21.146s	1m08.796s	3	2
10	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari	71	0	+24.545s	1m08.623s	3	1
11	Nicholas Latifi	Williams-Mercedes	71	0	+31.65s	1m09.662s	3	0
12	Daniil Kvyat	AlphaTauri-Honda	69	0	+2 laps	1m09.135s	3	0
13	Alex Albon	Red Bull-Honda	69	0	+2 laps	1m08.432s	3	0
	Kimi Räikkönen	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	53	0	DNF	1m09.031s	2	0
	George Russell	Williams-Mercedes	49	0	DNF	1m09.317s	1	0
	Romain Grosjean	Haas-Ferrari	48	0	DNF	1m10.228s	2	0
	Kevin Magnussen	Haas-Ferrari	24	0	DNF	1m10.72s	0	0
	Lance Stroll	Racing Point-Mercedes	19	0	DNF	1m10.326s	1	0
	Daniel Ricciardo	Renault	16	0	DNF	1m10.61s	1	0
	Max Verstappen	Red Bull-Honda	10	0	DNF

Brendan Lines July 4, 2020 08:40am

Friday’s FP1 and FP2 sessions at the Austrian Grand Prix have given fans the first glimpse of Formula 1 cars driven in anger in 2020, as the ‘slumbering bear’ of F1 awoke from its lockdown hibernation, the Styrian Alps were a happy hunting ground for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton who topped both sessions closely followed by teammate Valtteri Bottas.

A green track and cloudy conditions were a cold slap in the face to the reality of Formula 1, as Red Bull were quick to try and stamp out both Mercedes drivers deploying the new DAS (Dual Axis Steering) system first seen at Barcelona testing under much scrutiny.

After FP2 Red Bull’s Christian Horner formally submitted a protest to the FIA regarding the legality of DAS claiming it is part of the W11 suspension system and not wholly part of the steering system, both teams met with the FIA stewards later on Friday night.

The protest has this morning been thrown out by the FIA, the FIA’s verdict read:

“Therefore the stewards consider DAS to be a legitimate part of the steering system and hence to satisfy the relevant regulations regarding suspension or aerodynamic influence,” therefore Red Bull’s protest is “rejected as it is not founded.”

Lewis Hamilton in the all black W11 – Image Mercedes AMG F1

The Austrian GP hasn’t been too kind to Mercedes in the past, as an overheating Power-unit wrecked havoc for both cars in 2019. This time around there were some bugs for Mercedes to work out earlier in the day, a telemetry issue for Hamilton and a gearbox issue for Bottas stymied his early run.

But despite its early niggles the W11 looks quick out of the box, as Hamilton went over half-a second faster than rivals Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Sergio Perez (Racing Point) who were third fastest across the sessions respectively, but Hamilton is taking Friday’s result with a pinch of salt.

“It was looking good out there today, but you can never take too much from practice. You never know what power and fuel other teams are running. So we will take today’s result with a pinch of salt, try and improve the car tonight and come back for the fight tomorrow,” he said.

Racing Point impressed with its RP20, contentiously labelled the ‘Pink Mercedes,’ as Sergio Perez kept at the pointy end going fifth fastest in FP1. And third in FP2, Perez says there’s still a bit to play out closing the gap to the big teams.

Third fastest in FP2 Sergio Perez – Image: Racingpointf1.com

“It’s been an interesting day. Everything is really close out there, especially on such a short track. The car feels good and I’m happy. In the factory, the team has done a tremendous job and we have a car underneath us that is working well. There’s still a lot of work to do – tonight and tomorrow morning – but we are in decent shape. The margins are extremely close, so it’s going to be really important to put together some really tidy laps in qualifying tomorrow,” he said.

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo posted top ten fastest finishes across both sessions, despite spending most of FP2 in the garage the Aussie’s best finish was fifth in FP2 with a 1:04.972 just over half a second adrift from Hamilton, but hot on the heels of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Perez.

Ferrari’s pace was very reflective of their doubts coming out of pre-season testing as Vettel and teammate Charles Leclerc barely put a dent on the top ten in FP1, but Vettel’s pace in FP2 improved going fourth fastest with a 1:04.961.

Further back in the field it was a forgettable day for Alpha Tauri, as Daniil Kyvat spun in both sessions struggling with the balance of the new AT01 and teammate Pierre Gasly couldn’t get a clean lap on the Option tyre.

Romain Grosjean sat out FP1 with a brake fluid leak and did not post a time, while teammate Kevin Magnussen was able to peak at ninth fastest in FP1, for FP2 the Haas cars ran high-fuel race simulations finishing 15th and 16th fastest.

Kimi Raikkonen says ‘it’s way too early’ to say where Alfa Romeo stands , Raikkonen went 15th and 19th fastest across both sessions with a 1:06.365 and 1:06.278 respectively, while teammate Antonio Giovinazzi placed 14th.

Williams debutant Nicholas Latifi struggled with his Williams under braking at turns one and three, while George Russell peaked a 17th fastest with a 1:06.495 in FP1.

FP3 begins 7.30pm local time tonight.