Max fifth after first practice at Red Bull Ring

Published on 28 June 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen opened his Austrian Grand Prix weekend with a fifth place in the opening practice session at the Red Bull Ring. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was quickest, ahead Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Valtteri Bottas, in the second Silver Arrow, completed the top three.

When at the start of the session, Max heads out on track, two things stand out; Max’ special edition yellow Jumbo helmet and the aero-rack gracing the RB15. The team is using the rack to measure the aero flow of the new front wing, To get an accurate comparison, Max returns to the pits after a few laps to switch to the old front wing.

Once the aero measuring equipment is removed, Max sets about his business, gaining valuable lap time in a quest to find a good set-up. Initially, the Dutchman is among the fastest drivers on track, but nearer the end of practice, Mercedes restores order with Hamilton setting the quickest time. Ferrari is also in the mix with Vettel and Charles Leclerc finishing the session in second and fourth.

As has become tradition, Friday practice is fairly uneventful, with the exception of the red flag in the closing minutes; Nico Hulkenberg has lost half of his front wing after a trip over the kerbstones.

Austrian GP contest: win a 1:43 scale model of Max' victory in Austria 2018!

Results first free practice Austria: