Kimi Antonelli leads both practice sessions at Austrian GP
Motorsport.com • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 4:09 PM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Kimi Antonelli, the current leader of the Formula 1 championship, posted the fastest time in both practice sessions at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26, 2026. He recorded a best lap of 1m07.014s in FP2, outperforming McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The day's high temperatures presented challenges for teams and drivers as they adapted to the heat at the Red Bull Ring. As teams prepare for qualifying, the performance in practice may influence strategies moving forward.
- •Antonelli topped both FP1 and FP2 at the Red Bull Ring.
- •Piastri and Norris followed Antonelli in second and third in FP2.
- •Temperatures reached up to 49C during the sessions.
- •Qualifying for the race is set to take place tomorrow.
- 7:24 PMMotorsport.com — Kimi Antonelli leads Austrian GP long runs as Ferrari upgrade falls flat
- 4:09 PMAutosport — F1 Austrian GP: Antonelli completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
- 4:08 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Austrian GP: Kimi Antonelli tops FP2 to complete perfect Friday
"Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed a perfect Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix by going fastest in second practice. The Mercedes driver beat McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with a 1m07.014s after also topping FP1 on an extremely hot day at the Red Bull Ring. Such heat caused a unique challenge as, although the start of FP2 saw drivers frantically hit the 49C ...Keep reading
"Following Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes has firmly established itself as the team to beat—led by championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Italian topped the timesheets in both the first and second free practice sessions while also delivering the strongest long-run pace. Traditionally, the second practice session shifts the focus towards long runs with high fuel loads ...Keep reading
"Formula 1 world championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed a perfect Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix by going fastest in second practice. The Mercedes driver beat McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with a 1m07.014s after also topping FP1 on an extremely hot day at the Red Bull Ring. Such heat caused a unique challenge as, although the start of FP2 saw drivers frantically hit ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJun 26, 2026, 7:24 PMKimi Antonelli leads Austrian GP long runs as Ferrari upgrade falls flat
Following Friday practice at the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes has firmly established itself as the team to beat—led by championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Italian topped the timesheets in both the first and second free practice sessions while also delivering the strongest long-run pace. Traditionally, the second practice session shifts the focus towards long runs with high fuel loads ...Keep reading
- AutosportJun 26, 2026, 4:09 PMF1 Austrian GP: Antonelli completes perfect Friday by topping FP2
Formula 1 world championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed a perfect Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix by going fastest in second practice. The Mercedes driver beat McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with a 1m07.014s after also topping FP1 on an extremely hot day at the Red Bull Ring. Such heat caused a unique challenge as, although the start of FP2 saw drivers frantically hit ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJun 26, 2026, 4:08 PMF1 Austrian GP: Kimi Antonelli tops FP2 to complete perfect Friday
Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli completed a perfect Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix by going fastest in second practice. The Mercedes driver beat McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris with a 1m07.014s after also topping FP1 on an extremely hot day at the Red Bull Ring. Such heat caused a unique challenge as, although the start of FP2 saw drivers frantically hit the 49C ...Keep reading
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