P8 for Max in Austria FP1

Published on 01 July 2016 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen did not have the best of starts to his Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Driving his RB12 accross the new, higher kerbstones at turn 6 of the Red Bull Ring, broke the front suspension. The results was Max’ FP1 ending prematurely in the gravel after just 21 laps.

Nico Rosberg topped the timing sheets, followed by Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Max’ Red Bull Racing team mate Daniel Ricciardo ended the session in fifth.

In the early stages of FP1, the usual pattern unfolds. The teams complete installation laps before clocking plenty of laps to gain data and tweak the set-up of their cars. Max works his way steadily through his Friday progamme untill we see his wing end plate on track.

After clipping the new kerb at turn 8, the part broke of the front wing. Nevertheless, Max is able to continue and, in fact, sets his fastest lap (1:08.962) despite the minor damage.

While a marshal removes the wing end plate from the track, Max complains over the radio: “I think those yellow kerbs in the fast corners are very dangerous”. Unfortunately for the Dutch youngster, the excursion at turn 8 was not his only encounter with the kerbs. After pitting for a brand new set of super-softs, Max goes wide over the kerbs in turn 6. The front suspension of the RB12 snaps, sending the car into the gravel. “These kerbs are unbelievable”, shouts Max at the team. The Red Bull driver is unable to drive out of the gravel, ending his session prematurely.

Team mate Daniel Ricciardo also struggles with the kerbs. After nearly colliding with Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson, the Australian hits the gravel at the same spot Max went wide. Unlike his younger colleague, Ricciardo is able to continue.  

At the front, Rosberg proved once again that Mercedes are the team to beat by setting the quickest lap ever around the Red Bull Ring (1:07.373). Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel completed the top three with Red Bulls in fifth and eighth

Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring - Friday 1 July

RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 1

01  6 Nico Rosberg        Mercedes                    1:07.373             37
02 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:07.730   +0.357s   34
03  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:08.022   +0.649s   28
04  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:08.222   +0.849s   31
05  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:08.528   +1.155s   35
06 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:08.803   +1.430s   34
07 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:08.824   +1.451s   39
08 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:08.962   +1.589s   21
09 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:08.990   +1.617s   32
10 77 Valtteri Bottas     Williams Mercedes           1:08.998   +1.625s   40
11  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:09.078   +1.705s   34
12 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Force India Mercedes        1:09.280   +1.907s   43
13 22 Jenson Button       McLaren Honda               1:09.365   +1.992s   31
14 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:09.567   +2.194s   30
15 20 Kevin Magnussen     Renault                     1:09.707   +2.334s   24
16 94 Pascal Wehrlein     MRT Mercedes                1:09.775   +2.402s   34
17 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:09.851   +2.478s   28
18  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:09.929   +2.556s   35
19 21 Esteban Gutierrez   Haas Ferrari                1:10.110   +2.737s   20
20 12 Felipe Nasr         Sauber Ferrari              1:10.314   +2.941s   26
21 88 Rio Haryanto        MRT Mercedes                1:10.493   +3.120s   21
22 34 Alfonso Celis       Force India Mercedes        1:10.860   +3.487s   37

Click here to enter our competition with a chance to win a signed cap and Dutch flag!