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AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX – FRIDAY 03-07-2020 RED BULL

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JULY 03: The Red Bull Racing practice pitstops during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on July 03, 2020 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool  // AP-24H433B5D1W11 // Usage for editorial use only //

Free Practice Report

Welcome back Formula One! With the last track-action happening way back in February in Spain for pre-season testing, we can officially say the 2020 season is underway!
Max Sends Sparks In Spielberg
Max Sends Sparks In Spielberg
It’s a different look and feel to the start of this campaign, with the Red Bull Ring race being held behind closed doors. However, the sound and sight is still very much alive.
With Rounds One and Two coming from our home track, we couldn’t be happier to be in Spielberg. And track action got underway on a dry Friday morning, with any previous rain seeming to have disappeared for now.
The first session, Free Practice One, saw Max put in a total of 37 laps and a best time of 1:05.418, which saw him finish in P3. Alex was in P7 after posting a 1:05.701 from his 29 laps.
Both Bulls were back out on track for Free Practice Two, as Max finished the session in P8 with a best time of 1:05.215, after 41 laps. Alex ended Friday’s action in P13, posting a 1:05.453 from his 47 laps.
After the first day on track for the 2020 season, Max said: “It felt good to be back in the car and after a few laps you are quite easily back into the rhythm. Overall it was a positive day, the car was handling well and I’m pleased with the number of laps we did which is really important after such a long break.
“The lap times don’t really say anything because I broke my front wing on the push lap, so we had to fit a different wing. I think we were a little too aggressive for that and I had a spin and a little off, but nothing major. The kerbs are what they are here and it’s the same for everyone, the front wing doesn’t really like the yellow kerbs so we do have to be careful. We are I think confident and there are always things we can do better but overall it was a good day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

MAX VERSTAPPEN

First Practice Session: 1:05.418, Position: 3, Laps: 37

Second Practice Session: 1:05.215, Position: 8, Laps: 41

“It felt good to be back in the car and after a few laps you are quite easily back into the rhythm. Overall it was a positive day, the car was handling well and I’m pleased with the number of laps we did which is really important after such a long break. The lap times don’t really say anything because I broke my front wing on the push lap, so we had to fit a different wing. I think we were a little too aggressive for that and I had a spin and a little off, but nothing major. The kerbs are what they are here and it’s the same for everyone, the front wing doesn’t really like the yellow kerbs so we do have to be careful. We are I think confident and there are always things we can do better but overall it was a good day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Max And His Trainer Head To The Garage
Max And His Trainer Head To The Garage

ALEX ALBON

First Practice Session: 1:05.701, Position: 7, Laps 29

Second Practice Session: 1:05.453, Position: 13, Laps: 47

“Today felt pretty good and it was nice to be back in the car. I’m happy and excited that we’re back underway and I think everyone was on it straight away which I was quite surprised about! It’s been a long time since we did this amount of running so there’s a lot to look through now ahead of tomorrow. There are a couple of things we need to work on, and there’s always a bit of time in your driving and set-up, so we’ll see where we are tomorrow but we know what to do. You’ve got to build up to the limit here as the kerbs are dangerous and some of them can be front wing killers if you hit them too hard. But overall the car felt good, I feel good, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

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