Hamilton fastest in upgraded car in practice for Austrian GP
SPIELBERG, Austria - Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest lap time as Mercedes' upgraded cars dominated the first practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday.
With a new side pod design and an adapted rear wing to their cars, the Formula One leader led fellow Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas by 0.127 seconds.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen's fastest lap was 0.233 behind Hamilton's, while Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo had the fourth and fifth best times, respectively.
Hamilton leads Vettel by 14 points going into Sunday's ninth of 21 races this season.
Mercedes has won all four races here since the Austrian GP returned to the calendar in 2014. While Hamilton triumphed in 2016, Bottas won last year.
A second practice was scheduled for later Friday.
HEADLINES
- What we learned from Chinese GP: Antonelli arrives, more debate on new cars
- Antonelli lands 1st win in China, Hamilton finally gets Ferrari podium
- McLaren launches investigation after Norris, Piastri unable to start Chinese GP
- Hamilton 'incredibly grateful' to Ferrari as long wait for F1 podium ends
- F1 won't hold Bahrain, Saudi Arabia GPs in April