Formula 1 title leader Max Verstappen opened a sizeable advantage of over half a second during final practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen trailed the Mercedes drivers on Friday but on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring moved clear of his opponents during the Soft tyre runs.
Verstappen’s time of 1:04.591s left him 0.538s clear of Valtteri Bottas as drivers carried out qualifying simulations.
Lewis Hamilton had provisionally gone second-fastest, setting a time of 1:04.994s, but that effort – still a sizeable four-tenths off – was erased for exceeding track limits.
Hamilton’s previous effort left him third, almost seven-tenths behind his title rival.
It was confirmed earlier on Saturday that Hamilton will continue to drive for Mercedes through at least the 2023 season.
Gasly, Giovinazzi shine
Pierre Gasly’s Styrian Grand Prix lasted only a few corners while Antonio Giovinazzi’s prospects were also undone on the opening lap.
They showed promising pace on Saturday lunchtime as Gasly classified fourth, just 0.003s behind Hamilton, with Alfa Romeo driver Giovinazzi within a tenth further back in fifth.
Giovinazzi’s time was sufficient to propel him above both Ferrari drivers, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sixth and ninth respectively.
Sergio Perez was a relatively low-key seventh, as his one-lap struggles in Austria continued, while Fernando Alonso classified eighth for Alpine.
Aston Martin had a more subdued showing after its Friday display, though Sebastian Vettel still managed a spot inside the top 10, which came at the expense of team-mate Lance Stroll.
Tsunoda spins, McLaren struggles
Yuki Tsunoda had the biggest moment during the one-hour session as he drifted wide exiting Turn 9 and spun across the run-off, fortunately halting shy of the barriers.
McLaren, meanwhile, had a difficult session; Lando Norris had a couple of wide moments and was able to finish only 15th, while Daniel Ricciardo took the flag in a low-key 16th.
Both trailed Williams’ George Russell, who wound up 14th, as he chases his first Q3 spot with the team.
Kimi Raikkonen was 12 spots behind team-mate Giovinazzi but such was the closely-contested nature of the session that he was only four-tenths behind the Italian.
Qualifying for Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled for 15:00 local time.
[motorsport_result id=’67602′]
