FP2 | F1 | Austrian GP | Norris went fastest during free practice 2

Lando Norris topped the sheets of the FP2 at the 2025 Austrian GP, even though he gave up his cockpit in FP1. Showing a clear dominance by being one and a half tenth faster. The McLaren driver was followed by teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.

This happened at FP1 of the Austrian GP ahead of FP2

George Russell led FP1 at the 2025 Austrian GP with a benchmark time of 1:05.542, narrowly ahead of Max Verstappen. Continuing McLaren’s strong form, Oscar Piastri secured third. In a standout performance, rookie Alex Dunne took fourth during his mandatory rookie outing for Norris. At Ferrari, a new floor and diffuser debuted, with Dino Beganovic filling in for Leclerc.

Despite early gearbox issues, Lewis Hamilton recovered to place ninth. Running into traffic, Kimi Antonelli slipped to eleventh after a promising start. Light rain in the final minutes didn’t deter teams from pushing on soft tyres. While Russell and Mercedes finished strong, Haas and AlphaTauri struggled with balance and consistency.

Green Flag

The drivers were ready to take on the hilly Red Bull Ring. As Colapinto started off the pack for FP2 at the Austrian GP. With Verstappen still out of the car while the time started to run down, it seemed that the Red Bull with the number 1 could have some problems. Just as Lawson reported some issues with his steering in the Racing Bull. While Lando Norris is back in his car, after Alex Dunne delivered a beautiful P4 in FP1 earlier today. Antonelli held the current fastest lap after the first five minutes of FP2 at the Austrian GP.

After ten minutes of FP2, Piastri sat on top, while Norris went through the gravel at Turn 4, having to abandon his fast lap. As the wind picks up, the drivers had to change their approach to minimize issues. With the McLarens on top of the sheets, just before the Mercedes, both Red Bulls still needed to set a lap time. All while Verstappen was still resting in the pits. After almost 15 minutes, the current champion went out on the grid to start his FP2 of the Austrian GP.

Leclerc off Turn 6 and Hamilton without pace

Just as Hamilton reported that he had no pace, his teammate Charles Leclerc went off in turn 6, as it seemed his rear did not work how he wanted. Meanwhile, Hamilton looked to have another problem as, Antonelli had to dodge the Ferrari that stayed on the racing line, being very slow.

While the drama with the Ferrari’s happened, Norris set the fastest lap with the medium tires. Followed by Russell, Verstappen and Piastri. Though, most of the cars are now back in the pits, to cool or change the tires. While Antonelli picked up some gravel in the last corner. Just as Russell pulled of the fastest lap so far, while having a soft tire fitted.

Half-time of FP2 at the 2025 Austrian GP

As the clock struck half-time, most of the grid fitted soft tires. Putting both McLarens back on top with a 1:04,580. Followed by his teammate Piastri and surprisingly Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin. While the Red Bulls both got an upgrade, it seemed that both drivers are not yet completely comfortable with it. As they currently sat in P5 and P10, and not on top.

Norris seemed to put out a hard lap to beat, even though he had less track time than most of them today, as Dunne took over in FP1 at the Austrian GP. The only other driver with the same amount of track time is Leclerc. Beganovic took over his cockpit during FP1. But Leclerc did not seem to have the same pace as Norris in the McLaren.

The last 10 minutes of FP2 at the Austrian GP

With both McLaren’s still on top after 50 minutes of FP2, it showed a clear dominance. Especially Norris who sat in front of his teammate Piastri. As the other teams tried to catch both McLarens, Verstappen currently in third reported a struggle with his front tires. He went through the pit for a new soft tire in hopes to get on top in the last few minutes of FP2.

The biggest surprise seemed to be Lance Stroll who sat in P4, ahead of both Ferraris and both Mercedes. Meanwhile Pierre Gasly in P14 reported an issue with the car, that did not help him in Turn 1 and Turn 6. As the Alpine seemed to lack pace in every aspect, it looked like Alpine has a lot of work to do ahead of Qualifying at the Austrian GP.

As the chequered flag for FP2 of the Austrian GP came out, Lando Norris stayed on top with a 1:04.580 lap. Topping the sheets ahead of Piastri and Verstappen, with Lance Stroll in P4.

Classification

1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Max Verstappen
4. Lance Stroll
5. Charles Leclerc
6. George Russell
7. Yuki Tsunoda
8. Gabriel Bortoleto
9. Fernando Alonso
10. Lewis Hamilton
11. Kimi Antonelli
12. Liam Lawson
13. Isack Hadjar
14. Pierre Gasly
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Alex Albon
17. Carlos Sainz
18. Ollie Bearman
19. Nico Hülkenberg
20. Franco Colapinto