RACING

Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times: when Formula 1 practice starts Friday in the U.S.

Published

4 months ago

June 26, 2026

The Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times are set for Friday at the Red Bull Ring, with McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull back in action as six rookie drivers join the opening Formula 1 session.

Formula 1 returns this weekend with the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, and Friday at the Red Bull Ring brings the first proper read on how the field stacks up after the short break following Barcelona. For fans in the United States, the key question is simple: what time do FP1 and FP2 start for the Austrian Grand Prix? The answer is important because this is shaping up to be one of the most interesting Fridays of the season so far, not only because of the title fight, but also because several teams are rolling out rookie drivers in the opening session.

The Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times place the first practice sessions in the morning for U.S. viewers, with Free Practice 1 beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT and Free Practice 2 following at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT on Friday. Both sessions last 60 minutes, and both could carry real weight for the rest of the weekend as teams continue to evaluate upgrades, setup direction and race pace at one of Formula 1’s shortest but most demanding circuits.

This year’s Austria Friday also comes with an extra layer of intrigue because six teams are handing FP1 duties to rookie or reserve drivers as part of Formula 1’s mandatory young-driver running rules. That means the opening session is not just about headline pace from Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. It is also a key opportunity for names such as Jak Crawford, Luke Browning, Dino Beganovic and Paul Aron to get meaningful track time in current machinery. Formula 1’s official Austrian Grand Prix schedule lists FP1 at 13:30 local time and FP2 at 17:00 local time, which translates to the U.S. times below.

Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times in the United States

Here are the Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times for U.S. viewers on Friday, June 26:

Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Friday practice schedule

FP1: 7:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. CT / 5:30 a.m. MT / 4:30 a.m. PT
FP2: 11:00 a.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. MT / 8:00 a.m. PT

For reference, the sessions take place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, where the local schedule is:

FP1: 13:30–14:30 local time
FP2: 17:00–18:00 local time

That timing makes Friday a very watchable day for East Coast viewers and still manageable for fans on the West Coast willing to get up early for FP1. It also means FP2 lands in a cleaner U.S. morning window, which should make it the more widely followed of the two sessions.

The Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times put Friday practice in the morning for U.S. viewers, with Formula 1 back on track at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

Why Friday matters at the Austrian Grand Prix

The Red Bull Ring is one of the shortest laps on the Formula 1 calendar, but it tends to produce a deceptively busy Friday because the circuit packs several different challenges into a compact layout. There are heavy braking zones, steep elevation changes, traction-sensitive exits and a fast final sector that rewards confidence and aero stability. That combination makes the first two practice sessions more useful than the short lap distance might suggest.

This weekend also arrives at an important moment in the championship narrative. Ferrari comes into Austria after Lewis Hamilton’s win in Barcelona, McLaren is trying to understand how much it can recover after a difficult stretch in development, and Mercedes continues to sit firmly in the title conversation with Kimi Antonelli still at the center of the championship fight. Red Bull, meanwhile, heads to its home circuit under pressure to respond in front of its own crowd.

That is why the Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times matter beyond pure scheduling. Friday is the first real chance to see whether Ferrari’s momentum is sustainable, whether McLaren can look more comfortable at Spielberg than it did in recent races, and whether Mercedes can keep its grip on the front of the field.

McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull all have something to prove on Friday

There are several major storylines to track once the green light comes on for FP1.

McLaren

McLaren arrives in Austria trying to stop the bleeding after admitting it has fallen behind in parts of the development race. Lando Norris has already acknowledged the team is effectively playing catch-up, and Austria is the first chance to see whether the Red Bull Ring can at least bring the MCL40 into a more competitive operating window. Oscar Piastri will be equally important here, especially because McLaren needs both cars extracting maximum points while it works through its upgrade path.

Ferrari

Ferrari enters the weekend with real momentum after Hamilton’s breakthrough victory in Spain, and the Scuderia’s pace is now impossible to ignore. Austria should offer another useful read on whether Ferrari can keep pressure on Mercedes and McLaren over a different style of circuit. There is also the added wrinkle that Charles Leclerc will not run in FP1, with his Ferrari handed to rookie Dino Beganovic for the opening session. Leclerc returns for FP2.

Mercedes

Mercedes remains one of the reference points of the 2026 season, and Austria gives Kimi Antonelli and George Russell another chance to build on that position. Antonelli’s title push has become one of the central stories of the year, while Russell continues to provide the benchmark of experience on the other side of the garage. If Mercedes is immediately quick in FP1 and FP2, it will only reinforce the sense that the team remains one of the strongest all-round packages in the field.

Red Bull

Red Bull’s home race always carries extra scrutiny, and that is especially true when the team is trying to protect its status near the front. Max Verstappen knows the Red Bull Ring better than almost anyone, and the layout has often suited him, but Friday will show whether the RBPT package has the pace to control the weekend or whether Red Bull will need to fight just to stay in the lead group.

Which rookie drivers will run in FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix?

One of the biggest Friday subplots is the number of young or reserve drivers stepping into race seats for the opening hour. Formula 1’s rookie-session regulations require teams to hand over FP1 outings across the season, and Austria will feature six different replacements in the first practice session. Formula 1 confirmed the full FP1 rookie lineup ahead of the weekend.

FP1 rookie and reserve driver lineup for Austria

Dino Beganovic replaces Charles Leclerc at Ferrari
Ayumu Iwasa replaces Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls
Ryo Hirakawa replaces Esteban Ocon at Haas
Luke Browning replaces Carlos Sainz at Williams
Paul Aron replaces Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi
Jak Crawford replaces Lance Stroll at Aston Martin

That list matters because these are not random cameo appearances. Some of these drivers are deep into F1 reserve roles, some are highly rated future prospects, and several are being closely watched by teams for possible future opportunities.

Six teams will field rookie or reserve drivers in FP1 at the Austrian Grand Prix, making the opening practice session one of the most important young-driver windows of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The six FP1 drivers to watch in Austria

Dino Beganovic – Ferrari

Ferrari will hand its FP1 seat to Dino Beganovic, who steps in for Charles Leclerc. Beganovic has already built experience with Ferrari in practice running and remains one of the more closely followed members of the Ferrari Driver Academy. Austria is another important chance for him to show clean execution in a top-level environment, especially because Ferrari is now operating under genuine competitive pressure near the front of the grid. A smooth session matters here just as much as raw pace.

Ayumu Iwasa – Racing Bulls

Ayumu Iwasa returns for another official outing, this time taking over Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat. Iwasa is no stranger to the Red Bull system and has already logged multiple FP1 appearances in recent seasons, but every session still matters because the Red Bull pipeline remains one of the most ruthless talent ladders in motorsport. The Japanese driver has speed, experience and strong single-seater credentials, and Austria gives him another public audition inside the wider Red Bull structure.

Ryo Hirakawa – Haas

At Haas, Ryo Hirakawa steps in for Esteban Ocon. Hirakawa is older and more experienced than the other names on this list, but under Formula 1’s definition he still qualifies for these rookie-session appearances because he has not started more than two Grands Prix. The Japanese driver brings a very different profile to FP1: rather than being a teenage or early-20s prospect, he arrives as an established endurance racer and a reserve driver who can provide useful feedback as Haas works through setup evaluation.

Luke Browning – Williams

Luke Browning replaces Carlos Sainz at Williams and may be one of the most interesting names in the session. Browning lost meaningful running in Barcelona when a technical issue prevented him from completing the FP1 program he had been scheduled to run, so Austria effectively becomes a reset. Williams will want mileage, clean data and composure, while Browning simply needs a normal session to show what he can do in current machinery.

Paul Aron – Audi

Paul Aron takes over Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi for FP1, and his run deserves attention because Audi’s long-term future lineup remains one of the more interesting open questions in the paddock. Aron has already impressed in limited appearances and testing work, and Austria gives him another chance to strengthen his case as a serious F1 option. For Audi, the session is also useful because the team continues to build its own identity in the 2026 field and needs reliable data wherever it can get it.

Jak Crawford – Aston Martin

At Aston Martin, Jak Crawford replaces Lance Stroll for the opening session. Crawford is one of the most active young drivers in Aston Martin’s wider development setup and arrives with prior FP1 mileage, simulator work and recent test experience. He also knows the Red Bull Ring well from junior categories, which should help him settle in quickly. Of all the Friday replacement drivers, Crawford may be one of the most important to watch simply because he feels closer than most to a genuine future Formula 1 opportunity if the right seat opens.

Which full-time drivers will still shape the Friday story?

Even with six FP1 stand-ins, Friday is still going to revolve around the regulars once FP2 begins and the field is back at full strength.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

McLaren needs answers from both drivers. Norris is under the spotlight because of his recent comments about development delays, while Piastri’s pace could be critical in showing whether Austria suits the MCL40 better than recent venues.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

Hamilton arrives with fresh momentum and a Ferrari that suddenly feels like a much more serious weekly threat. Leclerc will miss FP1 but becomes a key name in FP2, because Ferrari’s true pace read will only be complete once both race drivers are in the car.

Kimi Antonelli and George Russell

Mercedes still looks like one of the best-rounded teams in the field, and Antonelli’s title challenge means every Friday now matters a little more. Russell, meanwhile, remains one of the grid’s best references for where the car truly sits.

Max Verstappen

Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring is always a headline on its own. Even if Friday times do not tell the full story, his first runs of the weekend will immediately shape the mood around Red Bull’s home event.

The midfield names that could matter

Keep an eye on Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz once he returns for FP2, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and the Audi pair once the full lineup is restored. Austria’s short lap often compresses the midfield, which can make Friday timesheets look deceptively tight and set up a chaotic qualifying battle on Saturday.

Friday in Austria is not only about rookie appearances: the battle between Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull remains the main story once the full driver lineup returns for FP2.

Why FP2 may be the most important session of Friday

FP1 always gets attention because it is the first on-track session of the weekend, but FP2 may be the more revealing hour in Austria. That is because the full race-driver lineup is back in place, track conditions are a little more representative, and teams can shift from one-off evaluation work to longer runs, tire behavior and early race simulations.

For Ferrari, FP2 will be the first chance to compare Hamilton and Leclerc directly on the same Friday. For McLaren, it is the session where the team needs to understand whether the MCL40 can live in a better window over a longer run. For Mercedes and Red Bull, it is the first opportunity to send a clear message to the rest of the paddock about where they stand.

That is why anyone following the Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times should circle both sessions, not just the first one. FP1 is great for storylines and rookie intrigue. FP2 is usually where the weekend starts to make real competitive sense.

Austrian Grand Prix Friday schedule: the key takeaway for U.S. viewers

If you are watching from the United States, the simple version is this: Formula 1 practice at the Austrian Grand Prix starts early Friday morning and continues into late morning depending on your time zone. The first hour is loaded with rookie intrigue and team experiments, while the second should give a much cleaner picture of the actual competitive order heading into Saturday.Friday in Austria is not only about rookie appearances: the battle between Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull remains the main story once the full driver lineup returns for FP2.

Why FP2 may be the most important session of Friday

Austrian Grand Prix Friday schedule: the key takeaway for U.S. viewers

The Austrian Grand Prix FP1 and FP2 times put Friday’s Formula 1 running in an early U.S. window, with both sessions carrying real significance for the championship fight and the rookie-driver storylines.

So if you only need the essentials, here they are one more time: FP1 begins Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT, while FP2 starts at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT. But this is one of those Fridays where the schedule is only part of the story. Between Ferrari’s momentum, McLaren’s need to respond, Mercedes’ title push, Red Bull’s home pressure and six rookie drivers stepping into the spotlight, Austria’s opening day has all the ingredients to be far more than a routine practice program.

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RACING

Norris Admits Mistakes After Losing to Piastri in Singapore

Published

21 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

Lando Norris says he has “no excuse” for qualifying fifth in the Singapore Grand Prix sprint, after McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri beat him by 0.133 seconds in the final session.

Lando Norris has taken responsibility for his disappointing result in 2026 Singapore Grand Prix sprint qualifying. The reigning Formula 1 world champion finished fifth in SQ3, while Oscar Piastri secured fourth place in the other McLaren MCL40.

Norris had been faster than Piastri in SQ2, building a 0.534-second advantage. However, the Australian turned the tables in the decisive session, leaving Norris to admit that his final lap was not good enough.

Norris finished fifth in sprint qualifying after losing ground to Piastri in SQ3.

Norris Takes Responsibility for His Qualifying Result

Norris did not blame the car or external circumstances for the gap to his teammate. Instead, he admitted that he failed to deliver a strong lap when it mattered most.

“I just don’t think I did a very good lap. That’s all, no excuse,” Norris said.

The Briton had shown encouraging pace earlier in the session. He finished seventh in SQ1, just 0.020 seconds ahead of Piastri, before moving up to third in SQ2.

But that pace did not carry over into SQ3. Piastri ultimately beat him by 0.133 seconds, securing fourth place on the sprint grid.

Norris acknowledged that McLaren appeared to be working better as a team, despite his individual mistake.

“Many things seem to be going well. We seem more together as a team. I simply didn’t do a good job,” he explained.

McLaren Addresses Its Fuel Injection Problems

McLaren arrived in Singapore after struggling with fuel injection problems in Baku and Malaysia. The issue reduced the MCL40’s speed on the straights, prompting the team to introduce a solution for the Marina Bay weekend.

Norris was cautiously positive about the fix, although he said the team was still analyzing its effectiveness.

“I think so, from what I’ve seen so far. To be honest, I don’t know everything yet. The guys are still investigating it, and it’s been a busy day,” he said.

McLaren introduced a solution after fuel injection issues affected straight-line speed in previous races.

The improvement could help McLaren address one of its recent weaknesses. However, Norris’ qualifying result suggests that the team still needs to maximize its overall performance across every session.

Piastri Beats Norris for the Third Time in Five Sessions

Piastri’s fourth-place finish marked another strong qualifying performance against his teammate. The Australian has now beaten Norris in three of the last five qualifying sessions, including the difficult weekend in Baku.

That run follows an earlier stretch in which Norris outqualified Piastri eight consecutive times between Barcelona and Zandvoort.

Piastri was satisfied with his performance and believed fourth place was close to McLaren’s potential in Singapore.

“I’m pretty happy. I think that was more or less what we could do,” he said.

The Australian also highlighted the importance of tire choice. He struggled to find the right feeling on the medium compound but felt more comfortable once McLaren switched to soft tires.

Soft Tires Help Piastri Find More Pace

Piastri said the soft tires gave him more grip and improved the car’s response, particularly through the first sector of the Singapore circuit.

He had experienced some difficulties in that section earlier in the session, but the balance improved with the softer compound.

The Australian nevertheless stressed that extracting maximum performance from the MCL40 remained challenging. He described the overall feel of the car as familiar, with additional grip helping him improve his lap time.

Piastri found more confidence on soft tires and secured fourth place for the sprint.

Norris Needs a Strong Response in the Sprint

The Singapore sprint offers Norris an immediate opportunity to recover positions. His pace in SQ2 suggests that the McLaren has competitive potential, but he will need a cleaner execution to challenge the drivers ahead.

Piastri, meanwhile, will aim to build on his fourth-place qualifying result and maintain his recent advantage in the internal McLaren battle.

The team also has reason to monitor the fuel injection solution as the weekend continues. For Norris, however, the immediate priority is clear: deliver a stronger lap when the next opportunity arrives.

RACING

Russell Praises Old Mercedes W17 After Singapore Sprint Qualifying

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

George Russell will start second in the Singapore Grand Prix sprint after beating teammate Kimi Antonelli, saying the older Mercedes W17 specification is “not bad” amid doubts over the latest upgrade.

George Russell has strengthened Mercedes’ case for its previous W17 specification after qualifying second for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix sprint. The Briton was beaten only by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, while teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli could manage seventh with the latest upgrade package.

Russell’s result adds another twist to Mercedes’ ongoing comparison of the two configurations. The team has not yet established whether the new aerodynamic package delivers a clear performance gain.

Russell qualified second for the Singapore sprint while running the older W17 specification.

Russell Says Mercedes Has Been Competitive All Weekend

Russell said Mercedes had looked competitive since the opening practice session at Marina Bay.

“We’ve seemed competitive all day, to be honest, from the first laps of FP1,” he explained, noting that the team had topped the timesheets earlier in the weekend.

However, Verstappen proved difficult to beat in sprint qualifying. The Red Bull driver secured pole after choosing a different approach in SQ3, completing one fast lap rather than the two attempts made by Russell and Antonelli.

Russell admitted that it was difficult to know which strategy had been better, but he was satisfied with second place.

“The Old Specification Is Not Bad”

The main talking point at Mercedes remains the comparison between the two W17 configurations.

Russell returned to the older package for the Singapore sprint qualifying session. Antonelli, meanwhile, continued with the latest upgrade, giving the team an opportunity to compare their performance on the same circuit.

“Without a doubt, we can confirm that the old specification is not bad,” Russell said.

He added that Mercedes still had no conclusive evidence that the upgrade was not working. Ultimately, the stopwatch would determine whether the new package represented an improvement.

Antonelli is running the latest upgrade package as Mercedes compares the two specifications.

Russell also avoided drawing firm conclusions from a single qualifying session. He acknowledged that performance could change as the weekend progressed.

“Maybe tomorrow will be a different day,” he said.

Mercedes Still Needs Answers on Its Latest Upgrade

The contrasting results have given Mercedes useful information, but the team must interpret them carefully. Different car specifications can behave differently as track conditions and setup choices change.

The older package’s competitiveness is encouraging for Russell. However, it does not automatically prove that the new upgrade has failed.

Mercedes wants to understand whether the latest components offer greater performance potential and, if so, how to make that speed more accessible to the drivers.

The comparison with Antonelli’s car should help engineers identify where the two configurations differ in balance, consistency and overall pace.

Russell Expects a Difficult Singapore Sprint

Russell expects the sprint race to present a significant challenge because of the Marina Bay circuit’s unusual grip conditions.

He highlighted the variation in traction from one side of the track to the other, which can make the start particularly difficult. Russell also pointed to the advantage enjoyed by pole-sitters at the previous year’s event.

Starting second, he knows that getting away cleanly will be important if he wants to challenge Verstappen.

Russell faces a difficult start from the front row as he prepares to challenge Verstappen.

For Mercedes, the sprint will provide another opportunity to assess the W17’s performance under race conditions. The team must also balance its immediate result with the need to gather useful data about the latest upgrade.

The W17 Upgrade Debate Remains Open

Russell’s second place has shown that Mercedes’ older configuration remains competitive at Singapore. However, the team still needs more evidence before deciding whether the latest package delivers the expected gains.

Antonelli’s performance with the updated car will remain an important reference point as Mercedes evaluates its options.

For now, Russell has reason to be encouraged. His result keeps him near the front of the field and reinforces the message that the previous W17 specification should not be dismissed while the upgrade debate continues.

RACING

Mercedes Defends W17 Update Despite Handling Problems

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

Mercedes says its latest W17 upgrades are not a failure, but the new package has made the car less stable and harder to drive ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Mercedes is facing new questions about its W17 Formula 1 upgrades after struggling across two consecutive race weekends. The team believes the latest package offers greater performance potential, but drivers are finding it harder to extract that speed consistently.

George Russell returned to an earlier specification for sprint qualifying in Singapore. Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli remained on the newer configuration and qualified seventh, around half a second behind his teammate.

The comparison has given Mercedes useful data. However, it has also exposed a key weakness: the updated car appears to have a narrower operating window and a less predictable balance.

Mercedes is comparing different W17 configurations to understand the impact of its latest upgrades.

Why the Mercedes W17 Is Harder to Drive

Mercedes introduced its latest major upgrade package at the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. The team then struggled to match Max Verstappen’s pace, while Russell suffered a late engine failure.

The results raised doubts about the new aerodynamic package. However, Mercedes believes the situation is more complicated than a simple failed upgrade.

Russell had a grid penalty for Sunday’s main race in Singapore, giving the team a reason to experiment with an older specification. Running different configurations also allowed Mercedes to compare the cars directly, something it could not do during the previous weekend.

The early evidence suggests the new package could offer a higher performance ceiling. The problem is that drivers may find it more difficult to reach that potential.

Mercedes Admits the Updated Car Is Less Stable

Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord explained that the latest package has changed the car’s handling characteristics.

“Kimi said that seventh was all he could get today,” Lord explained.

He added that the new specification produces a less consistent balance and makes slow corners more difficult. Understeer forces drivers to carry more speed into corners, while the car can feel nervous on entry to faster turns.

These characteristics reduce driver confidence. In Formula 1, even a potentially faster aerodynamic concept can lose its advantage if drivers cannot push consistently through a lap.

Antonelli’s seventh-place sprint qualifying result highlighted the handling challenges facing Mercedes.

Why Mercedes Cannot Fully Reverse the Upgrade

Mercedes has made some adjustments to Antonelli’s car, including switching to an older front wing. However, the team cannot simply restore the entire previous specification.

The updated package uses a different aerodynamic concept around the sidepods and associated bodywork. Returning to the old configuration would require substantial work rather than a straightforward component swap.

Bradley Lord confirmed that the team could not revert fully during the Singapore weekend. He said the conversion would require around two days of work, and the available time between sessions was insufficient.

Parc fermé regulations also restrict major changes once the relevant qualifying period begins. Although the rules allow a limited window between the sprint and main-race qualifying, Mercedes does not have enough time to rebuild the car around the earlier concept.

Mercedes Must Find a More Consistent Setup

The immediate priority is to improve the W17’s balance with the components already installed. Mercedes wants to give Antonelli a more stable platform while helping both drivers extract more performance from the updated package.

The experiment in Singapore is therefore about gathering information as much as chasing an immediate result. Comparing Russell’s older configuration with Antonelli’s newer setup should help the engineers understand where the gains and weaknesses lie.

Mercedes is using the Singapore weekend to study how different W17 configurations affect performance.

What the W17 Upgrade Means for Mercedes

Mercedes has not abandoned its latest development direction. Instead, the team is trying to determine how to make the new package more predictable without sacrificing its potential performance gains.

The key question is whether engineers can improve the balance enough for Russell and Antonelli to exploit the updated aerodynamics consistently.

For now, the W17 appears to have become more demanding to drive. Mercedes must turn the data collected in Singapore into a more stable setup if it wants the upgrade to deliver the results the team expected.