National Sport

Russell fastest in final practice, Piastri fourth

By Philip Duncan

Jun 27, 2026

ddd — George Russell topped the times in final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg. -EPA

George Russell delivered a timely boost ahead of qualifying for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix by finishing fastest in final practice.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Russell, 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the world championship standings and without a win since the opening round in Australia in March, edged out his Mercedes team-mate by just 0.038 seconds.

Russell had appeared off the pace but he saved his best lap of the weekend at the Red Bull Ring for the closing moments of the one-hour session to stake his claim as a contender for pole position.

Lewis Hamilton, fresh from winning the previous round in Spain a fortnight ago, could yet take the fight to the Mercedes pair.

Hamilton, 41 points behind in the championship standings, is Antonelli's nearest contender in the title race, and he was just 0.115secs off the pace in the concluding session.

Australia's Oscar Piastri took fourth, one place clear of his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen sixth.

Charles Leclerc has been unable to match Hamilton in recent rounds, and he ended Saturday's session down in seventh, more than three tenths off the pace.