Max Verstappen’s Austrian Grand Prix weekend has opened with a sharp warning for Red Bull at its own circuit.
The four-time world champion finished fourth in second practice at the Red Bull Ring, but the number that matters is the gap: 0.550s behind Kimi Antonelli’s benchmark 1:07.014.
That is uncomfortable on one of the shortest laps of the Formula 1 season. It also came after Verstappen had already lost rhythm in FP1, where Red Bull’s upgraded car hit early problems and he complained about poor braking feel.
Red Bull’s upgrade test tightens
ReadMotorSport had already flagged how Verstappen’s Red Bull Austria upgrade push carried major pressure. Friday practice has now turned that into an overnight set-up examination.
Mercedes and McLaren hold the immediate pace reference. Antonelli completed a Friday sweep, Oscar Piastri was second, Lando Norris recovered to third, and Verstappen sat another 0.225s behind Norris in fourth.
Red Bull’s concern is not just the headline position. Isack Hadjar was seventh in the sister car, 0.744s off Antonelli, which suggests the team’s home-race package still needs cleaner balance and drivability before qualifying.
FP3 will now decide whether Red Bull has a genuine fix, or whether Verstappen enters qualifying needing another high-risk lap to drag the RB22 into the front fight.
