F1 LIVE | Who can find the pace in FP3 before qualifying in Austria?

11:30, 28 Jun

Updated: 14:16, 28 Jun

byOlly Darcy

Saturday at the Austrian Grand Prix brings around qualifying at the Red Bull Ring. But first, teams and drivers will be looking to find form to take into the timed session. But who will finish on the front foot? Follow GPblog's liveblog of FP3 to find out!

F1 LIVE | Follow all the action from FP3 at the Austrian Grand Prix

LiveBlog

Wolff urges Verstappen to make a decision over his future

Mercedes have looked assured so far this season in their post-Lewis Hamilton era as George Russell took victory last time out in Canada.

Despite Russell driving superbly this year, he is without a contract for 2026. His teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, is also not yet fully confirmed for next year.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Sky Sports he is pleased with his lineup and is not overly confident about signing world champion Max Verstappen.

McLaren the ones to beat once again

Friday saw the first two free practice sessions take place around the Red Bull Ring, and as has been the case throughout 2025, it was McLaren who were out in front.

FP1 saw George Russell and Max Verstappen lock out the top two positions to show Mercedes and a newly-upgraded Red Bull would bring the fight to McLaren, with Oscar Piastri rounding out the top three. McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne impressed hugely, driving instead of Lando Norris to take a fine P4.

However, in FP2, Norris got back behind the wheel, and he led a McLaren one-two come the end of proceedings on Friday to highlight the British team's status as the team to beat, with Piastri and Verstappen rounding out the top three.

Russell-Verstappen rumours continue

Away from the track, there are continued rumours surrounding the futures of both Max Verstappen and George Russell.

Earlier in the week, Russell announced that he reason he had not been handed a contract extension from Mercedes was due to the fact that the German team were still interested in Verstappen.

Since then, Helmut Marko has dismissed these comments outright, while pundits from the paddock have had their say on the matter, with some believing that a move away from Red Bull may be the correct move for Verstappen.