Formula 1 Austrian GP 2026: Antonelli throws down the gauntlet, Mercedes impresses in free practice. Ferrari and Red Bull chase

Mercedes sets the pace at the Red Bull Ring: Antonelli ahead of everyone

The 2026 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix weekend got under way with a strong statement from Mercedes. At the Red Bull Ring circuit, Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished ahead of everyone in Friday free practice, confirming the excellent form of the Brackley team and relaunching his own ambitions in an increasingly hard-fought World Championship.

The young Italian impressed both on a single lap and in race pace simulation, ahead of team-mate George Russell and the McLaren of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Mercedes seems to have found a particularly effective balance on one of the shortest and most technical tracks on the calendar.

Antonelli the main man: Mercedes regains confidence

After the retirement at the previous World Championship round, Antonelli responded in the best possible way. The championship leader recorded the best time of the day, showing great confidence with the W17 and very effective tyre management, something that could also prove decisive in the race.

For Mercedes it is an important injection of confidence. The one-two in the opening free practice sessions confirms the progress of the 2026 project and strengthens the team's claim to victory at the Austrian circuit.

Ferrari seeks confirmation after the Barcelona success

Attention is also on Ferrari, fresh from Lewis Hamilton's victory in the previous Spanish Grand Prix.

At the Red Bull Ring the seven-time world champion finished at the sharp end, working above all on race preparation. Charles Leclerc also focused his programme on data gathering and car balance, while the team continues development of the technical upgrades introduced in recent weeks.

The sensations emerging from Friday are encouraging, even if the gap to Mercedes suggests there is still margin to make up on a single lap.

Red Bull in front of the home crowd

The Red Bull Ring has traditionally been one of the circuits most favourable to Max Verstappen, as always backed by thousands of Dutch fans.

Friday, however, was not without difficulties. Some technical issues and minor problems limited part of the team's work, without compromising the development programme ahead of qualifying. Verstappen remains one of the main candidates for pole position thanks to the RB's high potential and his outstanding competitiveness on the Austrian track.

McLaren under the spotlight

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris showed good pace, especially in race simulation.

The Woking team seems to have reduced the gap to the front-runners compared with the last rounds and could join the fight for the first two rows of the starting grid. The race pace seen during FP2 suggests that McLaren could be particularly competitive in tyre management over long distances.

Heat will be one of the deciding factors

In Austria too, the high temperatures are one of the main unknowns of the weekend.

The very hot asphalt increases tyre degradation and makes it even more important to find the right compromise between speed and tyre management. Teams and drivers devoted much of free practice to simulating the conditions that could arise during the Grand Prix.

Qualifying crucial on a short circuit

The Red Bull Ring is the shortest circuit in the World Championship by lap time. A few hundredths are enough to lose several positions and every smallest imperfection can make the difference.

Saturday's qualifying therefore takes on enormous strategic importance: starting in the front positions makes it possible to avoid traffic in the first corners and set up a less complicated race.

The analysis of Ultimogiro.net

Friday at the Austrian GP leaves one certainty: Mercedes is back to being feared.

Antonelli has shown that he has the potential to take pole position and victory, but Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren remain fully in the mix. The margins are small and qualifying could be decided by just a few thousandths.

With four teams covered by just a few tenths, the Austrian weekend promises to be among the most spectacular of the season and could represent a crucial stage in the fight for the world title.