FP1 in Austria highlights a tight battle for the top spot. Let’s dive into the detailed comparison between the leading teams with a full telemetry analysis.
The first free practice session in Spielberg suggests a close fight at the front for the first time in a while. McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull all appeared closely matched in terms of performance. Additionally, Ferrari remains an unknown factor, hampered by technical issues but potentially in the mix thanks to recent upgrades. To better compare the specific characteristics of the cars, we analyze the telemetry data from the top teams in FP1 in Austria.
First Sector: Red Bull leads on top speed, Mercedes strong on braking and traction
As seen throughout the season, Red Bull shows higher top speed compared to its rivals, thanks to a highly efficient aerodynamic package. This allows the drivers to gain ground on the straights and benefit in wheel-to-wheel battles—an especially important trait at Spielberg, where overtaking is relatively easy.
However, it’s at the end of the straights where Mercedes shines, with the layout emphasizing their strengths: braking and traction. Russell hits the brake pedal later yet still manages to put power down effectively on corner exit. At Turn 4, the British driver gains 0.150s over Max Verstappen and a full two-tenths over Oscar Piastri.
Second Sector: Driving style makes the difference
The second sector, which features more corners, should favor McLaren, the car performing best in turns. The MCL39 seems to have more potential here, with Oscar Piastri carrying significantly more speed through corners thanks to higher aerodynamic load, excellent grip, and strong mechanical balance. However, rivals use a different driving style that seems to pay off more: both Max Verstappen and George Russell brake harder at entry, sacrificing mid-corner speed but getting on the throttle earlier and gaining time on the exit.
Third Sector: Max more aggressive
In the third sector, Max Verstappen comes out on top mainly due to a more aggressive driving style. The biggest difference appears in the final two corners. In Turn 9, the reigning world champion lifts off the throttle later than his rivals, carrying 5 kph more speed. In the final turn, he gets back on the gas earlier, entering the main straight with a much higher velocity.
However, since this was only a free practice session, it’s worth noting that some drivers may have used a more conservative approach to avoid risks. Therefore, the true competitiveness of each car in this section will become clearer during qualifying, when all drivers push to the limit.
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