PRACTICE DEBRIEF: Are McLaren the team to beat at the Austrian Grand Prix?

The sound of 20 Formula 1 cars once again reverberated around the Styrian hills on Friday as practice for the Austrian Grand Prix got under way. George Russell clinched victory last year, after Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided when fighting for the lead, but is the Mercedes racer on course to repeat the feat and back up his Canada win last time out – or are championship leaders McLaren back on song?

McLaren return to the top of the timesheets

The Mercedes of Russell set the pace in morning practice at Spielberg, but as the day progressed, it was McLaren who emerged as the ones to beat with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looking quick around the Red Bull Ring.

The British team brought more upgrades to Austria, including revised shrouds that suit the new front wing that was introduced but not raced in Canada. Norris stuck with the revised geometry – also introduced in Canada – with Piastri sticking with the older spec as it's a set-up option and he prefers it.