P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Is Mercedes looking strong going into the Austrian GP sprint weekend?
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella hinted that Mercedes seems to have the fastest car heading into the Austrian Grand Prix sprint weekend. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were fifth and eighth quickest in the practice session at the Red Bull Ring, with Verstappen still leading despite a red flag due to his RB20 having a sensor issue. Stella noted that Mercedes appears to be in excellent shape, although McLaren showed promising performance in Spain. The team seems competitive in various layouts and is optimistic about blending the car’s qualities for a successful weekend in Austria. Despite Norris’ off at the end of practice, Stella confirmed no damage to the car, ensuring readiness for qualifying.
