Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

[Fortitude]

Ambitious Wolff sends warning to rivals as F1 heads to Austria.
"There is still a long way to go this season. We will look to maximise our points scoring and hopefully be able to challenge for the podium once again," says Wolff, thereby issuing a warning to his competitors.
23 Jun 2025
Ludo van Denderen
GPblog.com

It was a great moment for Mercedes in Montreal, after Russell's deserved victory. Looking back on the last race in Canada, Wolff says: "Victory and a double podium in Montreal were a reward for the hard work of everyone at Brackley and Brixworth."

But he also says: "Though we have made solid progress with our car in recent weeks, we know that we cannot expect this level of performance each and every weekend. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with its absence of high-speed corners and a more closed tarmac that puts less stress on the tyres, suited the W16."

"The team executed well and took advantage of that, but we know that our rivals will likely be much more competitive in Austria this weekend." The Mercedes team boss definitely sees opportunities for his squad: "Building on the momentum from Canada is therefore our focus. The track in Spielberg will be a good test of our recent updates and provide another reference point for our progress."

‘Made solid progress with our car in recent weeks’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/verst...ments-by-wolff


Toto Wolff delivers Mercedes warning as new 'focus' revealed.
Toto Wolff is not getting ahead of himself - or letting his team - after a first victory of the current F1 season.
24 June 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Toto Wolff has cautioned that Mercedes "cannot expect" to permanently enjoy the "level of performance" it showed at the Canadian Grand Prix. George Russell claimed an assured victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which included pole position and fastest lap, whilst team-mate Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden podium finish in F1.

However, their team principal has sought to temper expectations, highlighting how rival F1 teams will be significantly more competitive at the Red Bull Ring than they were during the weekend in Montreal, which complemented the characteristics of the W16.

The 53-year-old laid out his target for the Austrian Grand Prix, as well as underlining what the weekend in the Styrian hills can help the team establish.

‘Not getting ahead of himself’;

https://racingnews365.com/toto-wolff...focus-revealed


Toto Wolff discloses 'never confident' stance over 'different ball game' facing Mercedes
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is taking nothing for granted after the Brackley squad's impressive 1-3 result in Montreal.
21 June 2025
Samuel Coop & Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365

When asked how confident he is over his team replicating the performance it showed in Montreal over the coming rounds, Wolff was direct in his response. "Never confident, because the swings in performance are still there," the Austrian told media including RacingNews365.

"You see it last year that on some tracks, it wasn't even close to who was second but we dominated throughout the weekend, and that's a little bit the pattern we have seen [in Canada]." Wolff went on to highlight the contrasting demands of the circuit in Spielberg, commenting how it will be a "different ball game" there.

"And Austria is going to be a different ball game, different track layout, different challenges," the 53-year-old explained. "So all of our eyes and brains are concentrated on Austria now. This is done, tick the box.”

‘Taking nothing for granted’;

https://racingnews365.com/toto-wolff...acing-mercedes


Toto Wolff Declares Mercedes F1 Engines ‘Good as Gold’ Despite Reliability Issues
June 22, 2025
Nelson Espinal Newsweek
The Charlotte Observer

The Mercedes engine is under the spotlight after a run of problems throughout the past couple of race weekends. In Canada, Williams driver Alex Albon retired from the race after seven laps. The power unit caused the retirement.

Williams is not the only Mercedes customer to have gone through problems with the engine; Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso couldn't finish the Monaco GP after a loss of power. Even the Mercedes car suffered problems this season. Kimi Antonelli retired from the Emilia-Romagna and Spanish races due to engine-related issues.

"I mean, our engines have been as good as gold since the introduction of the hybrid era, and so strong. And now it's the final year, all sights are on next year, and this group are fully on top of the reliability issues that we have," Wolff explained. "And statistically, if you look at the many years, the failures we had were very minimal. So we need to learn now what happened. I don't know what happened to Alex (Albon), actually. And I'm sure we'll understand it."

‘Good as Gold’;

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sp...mainstage_card


Toto Wolff now giving signals around the F1 paddock that a big driver decision is imminent at Mercedes
17 June 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Journalists Tom Clarkson and Lawrence Barretto have noticed a change in Wolff’s body language that suggests he’s very close to making a decision on Russell’s future. Toto Wolff body language change suggests Mercedes extension for George Russell is ‘close’.

Clarkson was asked on The F1 Nation Podcast why Russell doesn’t have a contract for 2026 yet and said: “He wants to stay at Mercedes. I think Toto Wolff is still playing the Max Verstappen card but I think he’s realising that that’s slipping away and I think we’ll see a George Russell contract soon probably.

“Particularly if he keeps banging in performances like this.” Barretto replied: “Yeah I’m going to say a bit of body language changed a little bit with Toto a couple of weeks ago. There’s a little bit more of a glint in his eye, a bit of a smirk when you talk to him about George and that contract and it does feel like it’s close. I think to your point Tom, I do think he wanted to leave the door open as long as he possibly could in case he could get Max.”

‘Toto Wolff now giving signals’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/tot...ow-very-close/


Montoya puzzled as Mercedes keeps contract-less Russell in limbo while courting Verstappen
21 Jun 2025
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

“George has actually been in a bad mood ever since he entered Formula 1,” Montoya told AS Colombia when commenting on Russell's edgy contract situation. He joined a team that was used to winning, but just at a time when it wasn't happening anymore. That was tough for him, but he has developed well and has done a good job so far.”

“The problem now is that he still doesn't have a contract. After that victory, you would think it was already sorted. He and Max are the two most sought-after drivers without long-term certainty.” speculation about an early exit — something Mercedes, according to Montoya, is eagerly capitalizing on: “Max technically has a contract, but George is the most wanted driver in the field who currently doesn’t have a contract.”

This makes Russell, according to Montoya, vulnerable to a potential attempt by Red Bull to back their shoulders: "So if you look at it that way, Red Bull could come in with a lot of money to cover themselves in case Max leaves''. This only applies if Verstappen were to leave, because a Verstappen–Russell duo at Red Bull, according to Montoya, is not on the cards: "Would he go to Red Bull to work with Max? I would say: absolutely not."

‘Contract-less Russell in limbo’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/monto...ing-verstappen

[Fortitude]

Ferrari expected to bring very first major upgrade ahead of Austrian GP.
According to recent reports from Italian media, Ferrari is expected to introduce a major floor upgrade in an attempt to fix the issues that have plagued the SF-25 during the first part of the season.
24 Jun 2025
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Having started the season with the ambition of fighting for both world titles after losing the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren last year, Ferrari soon found itself dealing with an SF-25 that has proven significantly lacking in performance. Ferrari's engineers radically overhauled the SF-25 compared to its predecessor, but so far, the results have not vindicated the new design philosophy.

The main area under scrutiny is the rear suspension, which was heavily revised compared to last year. Its suboptimal stiffness is believed to cause instability and issues with ride height management, leading to a loss of aerodynamic load and increased floor wear.
As a result, Ferrari has often been forced to run with higher ride heights than originally intended—something that inevitably translates into several tenths lost per lap.

‘Major floor upgrade’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/rumors/fer...of-austrian-gp


Will Norris rebound after Montreal blunder? Six Austrian GP talking points
24th June 2025
Will Wood
RaceFans

This year’s first true on-track dogfight between McLaren team mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri last time out in Canada did not end well. McLaren and Norris will both be eager to bounce back at the Red Bull Ring. But last year’s Austrian Grand Prix was one of the most frustrating weekends of the season for the Woking team.

Norris lost a potential victory after a controversial clash with Verstappen in the later stages of the grand prix. Piastri was left ruing the loss of what could have been his first grand prix victory after his best qualifying time was deleted by the stewards, dropping him from a potential third on the grid to seventh. He finished the race second behind winner Russell, who picked up the lead after Verstappen and Norris’s late race skirmish.

Verstappen and Russell to resume their rivalry? Having clashed in more ways than one in recent rounds, the two will be the focus of attention again over the next two weekends. First at Red Bull’s home circuit in Austria, a track that has been effectively a second home race for Verstappen in his F1 career, and then next weekend at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Russell will likely enjoy strong support from the local fans.
How many last chances for Colapinto? “The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options,” team consultant Flavio Briatore said at the time. He has subsequently suggested Alpine’s deadline is a little softer than that. Nonetheless, just six weeks on from that announcement, Colapinto has already reached the final race of his originally stated tenure.

Taking it to the limit: In recent seasons, the Austrian Grand Prix has been the centre of Formula 1’s continued struggle to get to grips with track limits in the sport. It came to a head in farcical fashion in 2023, when well over 100 laps set during the grand prix were deleted due to drivers running wide at the exits of corners
Normal service resumed: The Austrian Grand Prix has been a sprint round since the year after the format was introduced. But that has changed this year.

‘Six Austrian GP talking points’;

https://www.racefans.net/2025/06/24/...alking-points/


Jolyon Palmer names the driver he believes will beat Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix
24 June 2025
Tyler Rowlinson
F1 Oversteer

Speaking via F1 Nation, Palmer is backing the Red Bull driver for his third win of the season in Austria. He thinks the McLarens will follow behind, with Norris returning to the podium after a dismal weekend in Canada.

“I agree with the top three, but I think this is a Max win in Austria,” he said. “So I’m going to go Max, Oscar, Lando, on the podium, getting the confidence back.”

“So I’m going to go Max”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jol...an-grand-prix/


2025 Austrian Grand Prix: Top 5 Storylines Including Oscar Piastri vs. Lando Norris
JUNE 25, 2025
SCOTT GULBRANSEN
Sportsnaut

Can McLaren Rebound at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix? All eyes at Spielberg will be on McLaren’s response after the dramatic Canadian Grand Prix collision between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Can Ferrari Swing 2025 Momentum with Upgrades? Another crucial storyline involves Scuderia Ferrari’s introduction of significant performance upgrades amidst mounting team pressure.

Will Max Verstappen Dominate Red Bull Ring Again? Attention will also be on Max Verstappen, balancing home circuit dominance with penalty point vulnerability.
Will Mercedes Momentum Continue at 2025 Austrian Grand Prix: Adding to the excitement is Mercedes’ recent resurgence after a dream weekend in Canada. George Russell secured his first win from pole, and rookie Kimi Antonelli impressively clinched his maiden F1 podium with a third-place finish.

Is Sauber Separating Itself in the Midfield? Sauber’s unobtrusive yet significant improvement creates an interesting midfield storyline.

‘Top 5 Storylines’;

https://sportsnaut.com/f1/2025-austr...-lando-norris/


Mercedes will learn if they’ve successfully copied McLaren with George Russell’s car at the Austrian Grand Prix
24 June 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

The Red Bull Ring will test Mercedes’ rear suspension upgrade more than the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. While track temperatures rose to around 50° at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, its lack of high-load corners and Mercedes’ rear suspension upgrade returning meant Russell and Antonelli could control their rear tyre temperatures much easier than at tracks like the Red Bull Ring.

So, Mercedes will go to this weekend’s Austrian GP looking at a chance to prove if their rear suspension update inspired by McLaren was a success, or if the Canadian GP venue’s layout was a larger contributor. Track temperatures are forecast to exceed 50° at the Red Bull Ring. Hot track temperatures have been a major thorn in Mercedes’ side for the last few seasons, with the Brackley bunch prone to graining and thus a lack of grip. The Red Bull Ring also has long-radius corners with the double-left Turns 6 and 7, plus a high-load corner with Turn 9.

‘Hot track temperatures have been a major thorn in Mercedes’ side’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mer...an-grand-prix/


Stunning Piastri lesson rivals can’t deny; jarring proof of F1 curse: What we’ve learned 1-10
June 24th, 2025
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

1. OSCAR PIASTRI IS THE REAL DEAL
2. FERRARI FAITH WAVERS AFTER TEAM AND LEWIS HAMILTON’S POOR STARTS
3. McLAREN WILL WIN THE TITLE… BUT IS BEATABLE IN RACES

4. LANDO NORRIS HAS CRACKED UNDER PRESSURE
5. THE RULE CHANGE DIDN’T SAVE MAX VERSTAPPEN’S SEASON
6. GEORGE RUSSELL HAS STEPPED UP FOR MERCEDES

7. THE SECOND RED BULL RACING SEAT IS CURSED
8. ALPINE IS STILL IN A FUNK, AND ITS DRIVER SWAP HAS PROVED NOTHING
9. WILLIAMS IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH THE RIGHT DRIVERS
10. THE ROOKIES WERE WORTH A SHOT

‘What we’ve learned 1-10’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...cf2beb991f6b5d

[Fortitude]

Max Verstappen receives Austrian GP boost as Red Bull announce RB21 plans.
In a fresh boost for Max Verstappen and his Championship hopes, Red Bull will introduce an upgrade for the RB21 in Austria, which will further evolve at Silverstone.
26 Jun 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

“We’ve been seeing the same tendencies in the car for two years,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung. “It jumps over kerbs, has a tendency to understeer when turning in, which then turns into oversteer. In other words, the balance on the rear axle is not right.”

“But if we are in a very small working window and if the track suits us, like in Jeddah or Suzuka – Imola and Montreal weren’t too bad either – then it works. But the working window is extremely small.”

“We are now getting an update for Austria, which will then be further refined for Silverstone. But if that doesn’t work either, then it will be difficult in the World Championship. And it’s not as if it’s not difficult enough already.”

‘Red Bull will introduce an upgrade for the RB21 in Austria’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...ia-silverstone


Horner has good news for Verstappen in the 2025 F1 World Championship battle
23 Jun 2025
Sienna Ionta
GPblog.com

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has made it clear that the reigning world champions are not ready to throw in the towel on the 2025 Formula 1 title fight, despite a growing challenge from rivals McLaren and Mercedes.

Following recent setbacks and increased competition at the front of the grid, Horner remained resolute in his belief that Red Bull can claw their way back into dominant form, especially with a long season still ahead. "I mean, the points gap — there's still a significant points gap between us and them [Mclaren]," Horner acknowledged. "But we don't give up on anything."

"We're not even at the halfway point yet. There's a lot of racing, a lot of sprint races coming up," he said. "If we can keep chipping away and getting performance on the car, then nobody gives up on anything." His message was clear: while Red Bull may no longer be cruising at the front, their title fight is far from over. With continued upgrades and strategic focus, Horner believes the team can rise to meet the challenge and reassert their dominance in the second half of the season.

‘The reigning world champions are not ready to throw in the towel’;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/horne...ionship-battle


Christian Horner REGRETS axing Sergio Perez as replacements struggle - with former Red Bull driver claiming the team 'gradually fell apart'
25 June 2025
MICHAEL PAVITT
MailOnline

Speaking on the Desde el Paddock podcast, Perez reflected on Red Bull's decision to drop him for the 2025 season and claimed chiefs are regretting their decision to part ways. 'I know that deep down they are very sorry, I know that from a very good source," Perez said.

'People might think I'm happy about it, but no... we had a great team, and in the end it fell apart, little by little. In the end, that's how the sport is, decisions were made because there was too much pressure that they themselves ended up creating,' Perez said. 'I had a signed contract in Monaco, but from the next race onwards, everyone was talking about my future even though I already had a signed contract.

'It would have been easy for the team to protect me and say, 'You know what? We have a driver signed for the next two years'. But that wasn't the case. From then on, no one talked about anything other than Red Bull race after race. In the end, there was a lot of pressure on my side of the garage... it was putting a lot of pressure on the engineers, on everyone involved, and I think in the end that ended up costing us a lot.'

“'I know that deep down they are very sorry, I know that from a very good source";

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/F1...ristian+Horner


Helmut Marko makes Red Bull updates comment that Max Verstappen will love ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix
25 June 2025
Shay Rogers
F1 Oversteer

The team are also technically registered in Austria, and the track is called the ‘Red Bull Ring’. It makes sense that they want to do really well there. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, the 82-year-old informed them that there will be new upgrades for Verstappen, which is something he will love to hear as the title fight intensifies. “We’re getting an update for Austria, which will then be further refined for Silverstone,” he said.

“But if that doesn’t work, things will get difficult in the World Championship. And it’s not as if things aren’t difficult enough already.” It comes just days after Christian Horner’s Red Bull update was music to Verstappen’s ears, confirming that he has no intentions of leaving the team and joining Ferrari. Everyone is aware that the next two races are a ‘crucial’ exam for Red Bull, and will indicate whether they can be fast at most circuits for the rest of the year.

‘Red Bull updates’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/hel...an-grand-prix/


Jolyon Palmer unimpressed with one thing McLaren keep saying publicly about Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
26 June 2025
Ben Evans
F1 Oversteer

Jolyon Palmer was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast about the clash and wasn’t particularly impressed with McLaren’s recent comments about their intra-team battle. He explained: “The other interesting thing actually on that is, I feel like McLaren have opened themselves up to this by kind of admitting for weeks before that at some point they will make contact, at some point, it’s inevitable in this.”

“They’re kind of diminishing that fear that you don’t crash with your teammate. They’re kind of saying it will happen, which almost invites it to happen a little bit more than if you’ve got a team boss that’s absolutely drilling it in. Maybe it would happen regardless, but I think that almost lets Lando a little bit more off the hook.”

“McLaren have opened themselves up to this”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/jol...oscar-piastri/


Lando Norris sent worrying F1 warning: 'Something has changed'
Lando Norris currently trails team-mate Oscar Piastri in the fight for the F1 title.
25 June 2025
Fergal Walsh
RacingNews365

“This year, it feels like something has changed. One thing that's changed is that he was the championship favourite coming into the season, he now has the best car.
“There’s nowhere to hide when you’re the in-form driver coming into the year, you have the best car. The other 19 drivers are really looking at you and thinking, this is yours to lose.
“As the season is going on, I'm seeing a Lando that I've not seen before, which is someone that's just making a lot of mistakes under pressure.”

”Just making a lot of mistakes under pressure”;

https://racingnews365.com/lando-norr...ng-has-changed


Mercedes will learn if they’ve successfully copied McLaren with George Russell’s car at the Austrian Grand Prix
24 June 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Mercedes are set to keep the rear suspension upgrade on Russell and Antonelli’s cars at this week’s Austrian GP. Mercedes designed their rear suspension upgrade with McLaren in mind, having noted how their rivals have benefitted from running extreme levels of rear anti-lift. The aim is for a stable aerodynamic platform to improve grip plus the consistency of the downforce created.

So, Mercedes will go to this weekend’s Austrian GP looking at a chance to prove if their rear suspension update inspired by McLaren was a success, or if the Canadian GP venue’s layout was a larger contributor. Track temperatures are forecast to exceed 50° at the Red Bull Ring.

Hot track temperatures have been a major thorn in Mercedes’ side for the last few seasons, with the Brackley bunch prone to graining and thus a lack of grip. The Red Bull Ring also has long-radius corners with the double-left Turns 6 and 7, plus a high-load corner with Turn 9.

‘Chance to prove if their rear suspension update inspired by McLaren was a success’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/mer...an-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Vasseur expects close battle at the sharp end of the field at Spielberg.
"It only takes a little over a minute for a Formula 1 car to lap the Spielberg circuit, which means the field is closely bunched in terms of laptime, and thousandths of a second can make a big difference.”
27 Jun 2025
Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur revealed that he expects close battle at the sharp end of the field at Spielberg's short Red Bull Ring. "Managing to put everything together will be crucial. The fact that seven of the ten corners are right handers combined with significant changes in elevation only adds to the challenge.”

"We have been working hard in Maranello with the aim of ensuring that all the necessary elements come together in such a way as to deliver the best possible performance. Charles, Lewis and the whole team are determined to give their best at a track that often delivers one of the most spectacular races of the season.”

‘Close battle’;

https://www.f1technical.net/news/27159


Lewis Hamilton’s curious admission over Ferrari’s latest upgrade
27 Jun 2025
Elizabeth Blackstock
PlanetF1.com

“Firstly, I am happy that we have an upgrade, it is always exciting to get new pieces on the car,” Hamilton said. “So I am really grateful for everyone working hard to bring them, but we don’t really know the actual effect it is going to have.”

However, he did raise some concerns about the initial data the team has been seeing. Hamilton continued, “It’s not the normal information we’re getting of much load you’ve added to the car, it is not necessarily clear, but hopefully it will be a step in the right direction, but I wouldn’t think we’re expecting it to change a huge amount, but fingers crossed it is better.”

That isn’t exactly a massive vote of confidence in favor of the SF-25, but Hamilton sounds positive about the overall future direction of the team. “I’m focused more on changes in the background, foundation-building stuff that we need to put in place in order to have a better 2026,” he told Sky Sports.

‘Curious admission’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-...pgrade-verdict


Lando Norris hoping Austria GP can rekindle F1 title bid
The McLaren driver has had time to reflect after crashing into the back of teammate and Championship leader Oscar Piastri last time out in Canada.
27 Jun 2025
PAUL JENKINS
Somerset Live

Glastonbury racer Lando Norris will be hoping that a return to the scene of his maiden podium can rekindle his Formula One World Championship bid. Looking ahead to this year’s race, Norris said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to racing in Austria this week, it’s a circuit with great memories for me and the start of another double-header.”

“I’ve been working hard preparing with the team, spending time at the factory with my engineers.
“It’s now time to take that information to track and get our heads down as we look to score some strong results.”

“I’ve been working hard”;

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport...ia-gp-10294268


F1 Today | Russell puts the fear of God in Red Bull, Verstappen shuts down journalist
26 Jun 2025
Norberto Mujica
GPblog.com

Russell reveals conversations are 'ongoing' between Mercedes and Verstappen. George Russell may be enjoying his strongest Formula 1 campaign to date with Mercedes, but his contract renewal remains unsigned and the Briton has added fuel to speculation by confirming that Mercedes are still in conversations with Max Verstappen.

While GPblog recently confirmed Verstappen won’t trigger his Red Bull exit clause, Russell’s comments suggest the door to Mercedes isn’t fully closed. With rising rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli also in the mix, Mercedes face a critical decision: who will fill their two seats in 2026 and beyond?

'Ongoing';

https://www.gpblog.com/en/general/f-...own-journalist


F1 - 2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Thursday Press Conference Transcript
26.06.25
FIA (Press Release)

Q: Max, tell us a little bit about how you drive a lap here, because you stunned everybody last year with that pole lap that was 0.4 of a second faster than anyone else. What is the secret?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Brake late or go early on throttle, smooth driving. I’ve always felt good here for whatever reason. I think there are always tracks that are naturally probably suiting you a bit better than others. And this one probably suits me a bit better than some others, naturally. I know, of course, it’s our home Grand Prix, but I don’t know. It’s just a flow of the track, maybe in Sector 2, Sector 3, faster corners. You need a car that performs around here.

Q: Tell us a little bit about this race track here in Austria. You finished on the podium in the past in Formula 2. It’s a short track. Qualifying has been a strength of yours so far this year, so do you feel that Saturday here is something that you can really get stuck into?
Isack HAJAR: It’s going to be the target. If the car is able to go to Q3, then I’ll go to the maximum I can, to top the midfield. But again, it’s a track I really enjoy. I’ve been competitive in the past.
But every time you go in an F1 car on a track you’ve been in the past with Formula 2 or Formula 3, it becomes a different track, to be honest.

Q: Similar question to Isack – is the Alpine a difficult car to dial in? Easy one week, hard the next?
Pierre GASLY: I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. I wouldn’t say it’s easy. At the same time, I think we know our weaknesses and we know our strengths. And at the minute, it’s very much about maximising the strengths. A tenth at the moment can move you three or four positions up and down the grid, and that’s why we’ve got to focus on every single detail we can.

‘Thursday Press Conference Transcript’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2025-aus...nce-transcript


F1 drivers face immediate disqualification and five penalty points if they do one of two things at Austrian GP
26 Jun 2025
SPORTbible

Formula 1 stars face being immediately disqualified from the race and having five penalty points added to their superlicense if they do one of two things. For example, ignoring the black flag (disqualification) and the back and orange flag (driving with significant damage) will result in the highest punishment. President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, explained the decision to publish the guidelines in full.


He said: "FIA Stewards perform a hugely complex task, not just in Formula 1 but across all of our championships, and they do this voluntarily, with great passion and commitment. That dedication is all too often met with extreme and wholly unwarranted criticism. To demonstrate the rigour with which they pursue their role, we are today publishing the Penalty and Driving Standards Guidelines that assist them with their decisions.”

“This will give fans and members of the media a much deeper and more accurate insight into how decisions are made in Formula 1." Ben Sulayem added: "The Penalty Guidelines have been a core tool for almost a decade while the Driving Standards Guidelines introduced in 2022 and constantly updated have brought the most important voices, those of the drivers, to the table to create a genuine reference for certain racing situations."

“To demonstrate the rigour”;

https://www.sportbible.com/f1/austri...95415-20250626

[Fortitude]

FP1: Russell sets the pace from Verstappen as Dunne takes impressive fourth during first practice in Austria.
George Russell has topped the timesheets during Friday’s opening practice session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver continuing his run of good form as he led the way from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
27 Jun 2025
Formula One - Official Site

There were a couple of new faces joining the action for FP1 at the Red Bull Ring as two teams opted to run a rookie; Formula 2 standings leader Alex Dunne stepped into Lando Norris’ McLaren – making him the first Irish driver to take part in an F1 weekend for 22 years as he finished an impressive fourth – while fellow F2 driver Dino Beganovic was at the wheel for Ferrari in place of Charles Leclerc.

Dunne was amongst the first to hit the track when the green light appeared, with the MCL39 sporting aero rakes to kick off a weekend in which several teams have brought upgrades. The Irishman was also the only driver to run the soft tyres during the initial runs, the rest of the pack bolting on the medium and hard compounds.

While Canadian Grand Prix winner Russell had set the early pace during the first quarter of the session, Verstappen did not seem happy in the Red Bull, the Dutchman experiencing a lock-up in the RB21. Verstappen reported back about the problems on the radio – but on this occasion the World Champion was speaking to Simon Rennie rather than his usual Race Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, with ‘GP’ taking the weekend off.

‘Russell sets the pace from Verstappen’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...RC8ak0q1hDm8qy


F1 2025 Austrian GP – Free Practice 1 Results
After victory in Canada, George Russell has set the early benchmark in Austria
27 June 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 Austrian GP 2025 FP1 results
Check out the full Austrian GP 2025 Free Practice 1 results from the first practice session in Spielberg below.
Pos Driver Team Time
1 George Russell Mercedes 1:05.542
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.065
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.155
4 Alexander Dunne McLaren +0.224
5 Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.238
6 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber +0.332
7 Alexander Albon Williams +0.404
8 Carlos Sainz Williams +0.475
9 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.557
10 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +0.568

‘FP1 results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ice-1-results/


Austrian GP: Alex Dunne turns heads as Russell tops FP1
27 Jun 2025
Jamie Woodhouse
PlanetF1.com

McLaren junior Alex Dunne was the story of FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix as he wowed on debut. The Irishman – who currently leads the F2 Championship – delivered a flawless first session in Formula 1 to finish P4, within a tenth of team-mate and Championship leader Oscar Piastri, with FP1 pacesetter George Russell just two-tenths up the road.

Meanwhile at Ferrari, Dino Beganovic was in as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate for the opening hour of practice, and Hamilton was keen to get out there and test the new Ferrari SF-25 floor upgrade, while the diffuser has also been altered. Red Bull has also made floor changes.

McLaren meanwhile has made front suspension and corner alterations, plus rear corner tweaks, while over at Mercedes, there is a redesigned engine cover, and a brake duct inlet to respond to braking characteristics at the Red Bull Ring, Mercedes arriving off the back of a double podium after George Russell’s Canadian GP win and P3 for Kimi Antonelli.

‘Alex Dunne turns heads’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/austri...025-fp1-report


F1 – Russell sets the early pace for the Austrian Grand Prix, as Dunne impresses in first FP1 outing
27 Jun 2025
FIA (Press Release)

Mercedes’ driver George Russell topped the timesheet in the opening practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula One Austrian Grand Prix, outpacing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and championship leading McLaren driver Oscar Piastri as Irish driver Alex Dunne impressed in the other Mclaren with fourth place on his first F1 outing.

Russell soon worked his way down to 1:06.139, while Verstappen, who was struggling with the baseline set-up of his RB21, briefly moved to P2 on Medium tyres. Antonelli went quicker, however, and his lap of 1:06.342 put him almost four tenths clear of the Dutchman, who was 0.009s ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

Behind them, F2 championship leader Alex Dunne, who was being given a run in Lando Norris’ car and who had spent much of the session driving with large aero rakes on his car, jumped to fourth place with a strong lap of 1:05.766 on Soft tyres. That left the Irish driver 0.224s off Russell.

‘Russell sets the early pace’;

https://www.fia.com/news/f1-russell-...rst-fp1-outing


‘A little boy’s dream came true’: Alex Dunne makes stunning debut in free practice at Austrian Grand Prix
27 Jun 2025
Tony Considine
Belfast Telegraph

Irish racer Alex Dunne further enhanced his credentials as one to watch with a stunning debut display in Free Practice 1 at the F1 Austrian Grand Prix. Dunne, who currently heads the F2 Championship standings for Rodin Motorsport, was sitting in for regular McLaren driver Lando Norris, as part of the F1 rookie programme that sees teams required to give young drivers an opportunity in four Friday practice sessions per year.

Dunne was also 0.159s off the pace of Red Bull’s defending champion Max Verstappen who finished FP1 in second place. “I want to say a massive thank you,” Dunne said over the team radio following the session. “A little boy’s dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life. Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car.”

‘A little boy’s dream came true’;

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...917013597.html


McLaren's next F1 driver? The surprise early star of the Austrian GP
Jun 27, 2025
Josh Suttill
The Race

Judging a driver’s maiden Formula 1 practice outing is always tricky - but it’s hard not to be stunned by Formula 2 points leader Alex Dunne being within a tenth of McLaren regular Oscar Piastri in FP1 in Austria. There are, of course, a tonne of variables - fuel loads, run plans, traffic, late-session spots of rain - that make drawing definitive conclusions from any practice session fraught.

But there are signs that present themselves in any future F1 star’s maiden on-track outing during a grand prix. The FP1 debuts of the likes of Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lando Norris (pictured below) and more recently Ollie Bearman were precursors, both in hindsight and at the time for those following closely enough, for what was to come. strong FP1 debut alone never guarantees an F1 future, but it can help an F1 team confirm that a driver is on the right path to one, far more than a single weekend in junior formula racing.

‘Surprise early star’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/m...ustrian-gp-f2/


HIGHLIGHTS: Catch the best moments from FP1 in Austria as Russell sets the pace
George Russell carried on his good run of form and set the pace in the opening practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix
27 Jun 2025
Formula One - Official Site

George Russell set the pace in the opening practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver less than one-tenth ahead of Max Verstappen.
Russell, who won last time out in Canada, posted a 1m 05.542s on Pirelli's soft tyre at the Red Bull Ring, which left him 0.065s clear of Red Bull's Verstappen after the one-hour session.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri was third, while F2 championship leader Alex Dunne finished the session fourth, less than a tenth behind the lead McLaren, as he took the seat of Lando Norris during the session.

‘Catch the best moments’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...pgNU60ryK8Ez1G

[Fortitude]

Everything that happened in second Austrian GP F1 practice.
Lando Norris laid down an important marker to McLaren's Formula 1 rivals - and his team-mate Oscar Piastri - in second practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Jun 27, 2025
Jack Cozens
The Race

Norris said pre-weekend that "if there is any track that I would go to give myself the best feeling" it would be the Red Bull Ring, as he works out whether a new McLaren front suspension geometry will improve his comfortability in the MCL39.

Having sat out FP1 to hand his car over to McLaren junior Alex Dunne, Norris settled in quickly once in the car for second practice, going fastest of all before the mid-session qualifying simulation runs.

And he ended up at the top once those soft-tyre runs had taken place, too, ending the session with a best time of 1m04.580s that left him 0.157 seconds clear of team-mate Piastri, who entered the weekend with a 22-point drivers' championship lead over Norris.

‘Laid down an important marker’;

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/a...-results-2025/


F1 2025 Austrian GP – Free Practice 2 Results
McLaren dominated FP2 at the Red Bull Ring with Lando Norris ending the session ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri
27 June 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 Austrian GP 2025 FP2 results
Check out the full Austrian GP 2025 Free Practice 2 results from the second practice session in Spielberg below.
Pos Driver Team Time
1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:04.580
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.157
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.318
4 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.442
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.610
6 George Russell Mercedes +0.649
7 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull +0.712
8 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber +0.831
9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.877
10 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.931

‘Free Practice 2 Results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...ice-2-results/


HIGHLIGHTS: Relive the best moments from FP2 in Austria with Norris fastest
Lando Norris led McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the times in the second practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix
27 June 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Lando Norris led McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the times in the second practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix. The Briton, who missed FP1 as his McLaren seat was taken by F2 championship leader Alex Dunne, was immediately up to speed on Friday afternoon despite a lack of earlier running.

His 1m 04.580s left him 0.157s clear of Piastri and was almost a second faster than George Russell's best from earlier in the day. Max Verstappen completed the top three ahead of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who also missed FP1 as Dino Beganovic drove his car.

‘HIGHLIGHTS’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...gAyYEfWvbYoSIm


Max Verstappen details limitation Red Bull must address at F1 Austrian GP
27 June 2025
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

Max Verstappen has detailed a key area that he has identified which his Red Bull team need to address if they are to challenge for victory in Formula 1‘s Austrian Grand Prix. “Overall it was quite straightforward, we didn’t have any big issues but yeah, just lacking a bit of pace,” he said. “A bit of a pace, a bit too much understeer in the car as well, short run and long run. So that is something we have to try and get rid of.”

When asked if not having Lambiase on the pit wall this weekend makes a significant change, Verstapped replied: “Yeah for sure, but yeah, that’s how it is now,” however indicated a positive response to Rennie’s presence.

“I think so far, today has been really good with Simon,” he said. “Of course, I’ve known Simon for a long time on the other side of the garage and I’m working with him also in the simulator and you know he has a lot of experience anyway, so it’s actually been very, very good today. Yeah, he was straight on it and it was nice.”

“Just lacking a bit of pace”;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/...1-austrian-gp/


Lewis Hamilton learns stewards verdict after Austrian GP practice investigation
Lewis Hamilton has been informed of his fate after allegedly impeding Kimi Antonelli during FP2 at the Red Bull Ring.
27 June 2025
Samuel Coop
RacingNews365

Lewis Hamilton has received a warning at the Austrian Grand Prix after being investigated by the stewards for an FP2 incident. The Ferrari driver was alleged to have impeded Kimi Antonelli at Turn 4 of the Red Bull Ring during the second free practice session.

The driver of Car 44, although constantly checking his mirrors after being informed by the team about Car 12 closing in, slowly moved on to the racing line on the approach to Turn 4 and thereby unnecessarily impeded Car 12 which had to take evasive action.

The driver of Car 44 apologised directly after realising his mistake. The Stewards determined that, despite the more lenient approach to impeding in Free Practice, the impeding was unnecessary and that a warning to the driver is warranted.

‘Stewards verdict’;

https://racingnews365.com/lewis-hami...-investigation


‘Dear oh dear’: Anthony Davidson spots Ferrari ‘problem’ after worrying Charles Leclerc onboard footage in Austrian Grand Prix practice
27 June 2025
Kyle Archer
F1 Oversteer

Ferrari have brought the biggest upgrade package of any team to the Austrian Grand Prix, but their major floor update did not stop Charles Leclerc’s wild time in practice. The Scuderia have fitted a completely new floor to the cars that Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will drive at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP this weekend. Red Bull and McLaren have also brought upgrades to their challengers in Spielberg. Yet neither crew have gone as extreme as Ferrari.

Ferrari have a ‘problem’ after Charles Leclerc’s multiple offs in FP2 at the 2025 Austrian GP. Yet, despite the new floor and diffuser that Ferrari have fitted on Leclerc’s SF-25 at the 2025 Austrian GP, the 27-year-old struggled to stay on the circuit during FP2 this Friday afternoon. The Monegasque first ran deep at the slow-speed Turn 3 and then at high speed into Turn 6. Leclerc struggling for rear stability at low-speed and also at high-speed concerned Anthony Davidson, who feels Ferrari now have a ‘problem’ trying to re-work their set-up for the Red Bull Ring.

The way Leclerc’s rear-end kept stepping out simply stunned the ex-BAR F1 driver. Davidson told Sky Sports F1 (27/06, 16:16): “Wow, the rear just really letting go on the initial turn in into [Turn 3]. But here’s Turn 6, this is where he went through the gravel at high speed, and again the rear stepped out. But this time at a very different speed range to that of Turn 3 and, dear oh dear, you’ve got now the problem of trying to work the car and rework the balance in a slow-speed corner and in a high-speed corner.”

‘Dear oh dear’;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/ant...prix-practice/