Another weekend, another chapter brewing for Lewis’s inevitable tell-all on how Ferrari’s organization stacks up to Mercedes. The differences keep showing, and nowhere clearer than the Red Bull Ring: a track so beautiful you barely mind if the race is dull. FP2 wasn’t, though.
McLaren Lead, Ferrari Chase
McLaren lead the way with Lando’s 1:04.580 and Oscar slotting in behind. Leclerc’s sector times tell the story: three tenths down in Sector 1 alone, then bleeding another tenth in Sectors 2 and 3. It’s not ideal to lose that much time on one of the shortest laps on the calendar.
Ferrari desperately need these new floor fences, floor body, floor edge, and diffuser to work, otherwise, they might as well pack it in and focus on 2026. Both sessions so far have looked rough: grip is poor, general pace is off, same as plenty of teams, but that’s no excuse here.
Aston’s Stroll Show
Aston Martin’s “Friday in the hills” graphic might’ve been unreadable but the timesheets did the talking: Stroll P4, Alonso P9. Never in doubt, Sir Lancelot is back, Strolloviches. Stroll WDC hopes live on. He was matching Piastri’s race pace too, using about 1% of his ability, the other 99% apparently still under wraps. Maybe getting benched rumors gave him the push.
It’s worth remembering: Stroll is mega quick when he’s on it, he just hasn’t been since the injury. He’s still the Canadian rocket when the mood strikes, with fans jokingly stating Stroll is back on track to win the WDC in 25, 26, and 27. But if you needed a reminder not to read too much into FP2, Stroll P4 is it.
Red Bull’s Mixed Bag
Red Bull dropped an updated floor edge, but only Max is running it this weekend. Both cars switched brake suppliers too, and they’re acting up a bit for now. Nothing unexpected; they should settle once bedded in.
Mercedes & That Turn 4 Moment
Lewis got a warning for impeding Kimi at Turn 4. Standard outcome, the FIA’s updated penalty doc spells it out: impeding in FP = warning. That said, the usual Maranello chaos still played its part. Adami and Lewis probably need couples’ therapy at this point, or at least a clearer radio plan.
Some want to pin it on Adami but Lewis knew the blue flags were there. Unless it was another Monaco repeat, this is on the driver. Hamilton looks a bit lost this year, weaving into push laps he shouldn’t be in. Even Kimi asked, “Mate, what’s up with these guys?” Ferrari being Ferrari.
Race Sims & Upgrade Watch
Race sims painted a familiar picture:
- Lando (med), Oscar (hard): mid 1:09s, with multiple 1:09.4s laps.
- Max (soft): mid-high 1:09s.
- Kimi (med): started strong, fell to low 1:10s.
- Russell (med): high 1:09s–low 1:10s.
- Leclerc (med): mid-high 1:09s.
- Lewis (soft): high 1:09s–low 1:10s.
Elsewhere, Mercedes brought a new front corner and updated coke/engine cover. Racing Bulls tweaked front and rear wings. Sauber added a new floor body and rear wing too. Everyone’s crossing fingers these updates actually deliver something real, especially Ferrari.
Bortoleto & The Grid’s Soul
Bortoleto’s cooking maybe the updates are helping, maybe he’s just dialed in. Either way, more Bort license plates in the gift shop please.
And as for Racing Bulls? They’ll always be Toro Rosso at heart. Just imagine if McLaren named their junior team “Mac Larens,” or if Mercedes went with “Mercedeez Nuts.” Day one support, no questions asked.
All Eyes on Saturday
Scenery stunning. Gaps tight. Drama building. Austria never disappoints, now let’s see who’s really got something when it counts.