Austrian GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes to 1-2 in free practice, Verstappen 3rd

Spielberg, Austria, Jul 2 (EFE).- The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time in the second free practice on Friday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, the ninth of the F1 World Championship, at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

His Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas was second fastest as the Mercedes pair showed better pace than Dutchman Max Verstappen, current leader of the championship, who was third fastest.

Hamilton posted a best time of 1m04.523s, which was 189 less than Bottas and 217 less Verstappen (Red Bull), who leads the championship by 18 points.

Red Bull have won three out of the last four races, so Mercedes need to pull out a decent result this week to be able to keep Verstappen in sight.

The third free practice will be held this Saturday, hours before the qualifying session, which will set the starting line-up for Sunday’s race.EFE

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