It is a sunny day in Spielberg, Austria, and time for Round 7 of the FIA Formula 2 season.
Pirelli had brought the Soft and Supersoft tyres that weekend. Drivers were running the red-walled compound before switching over to the purple-marked tyres for Qualifying.
Red Bull Ring is known for its track limits and last year, officials addressed track limit issues at the Red Bull Ring with significant changes. There were 1,200 infringements, multiple penalties, and an Aston Martin protest delaying the race result by five hours.
To prevent a repeat, officials added a 2.5 meter wide gravel strip behind the kerb at the exits of Turns 9 and 10. They also moved the white line in Turns 1, 3, 4, and 6, reducing the distance to the gravel to less than two meters.
The Formula 2 practice session of the weekend in Austria began.
Oliver Bearman set the first time and went to the top for PREMA Racing with a 1:17.011, followed closely by Dennis Hauger in P2, 0.076s back for MP Motorsport.
Gabriel Bortoleto then briefly took the lead, just 0.004s ahead of Bearman.
Championship leader Paul Aron became the driver to beat, setting a 1:16.680 for Hitech Pulse-Eight.
The red flag came out as Taylor Barnard stopped on the main straight in the AIX Racing #25.
RED FLAGS 🚩
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 28, 2024
Taylor Barnard pulls off on the main straight #F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/O3Y5f6y2w0
After clearing Barnard’s car, Practice resumed with 24 minutes remaining.
Jak Crawford, already in second, closed the gap to Aron to just 0.082s in the DAMS Lucas Oil #7.
Kush Maini had a minor incident going into turn 9, where he briefly lost control. The Invicta Racing driver managed to regain control and avoid the barriers.
Kush Maini has a big moment at turn 9! 🫣
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 28, 2024
Thankfully, he keeps it away from the barriers and carries on 😮💨#F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/Ewm9i4C6r6
Improvements continued, and Isack Hadjar set the fastest time with a 1:16.624.
Hadjar improved further to a 1:16.441.
With five minutes left, drivers continued pushing. Hauger was among those dipping two wheels into the gravel ahead of the final corner.
The chequered flag ended Practice. Hadjar finished as the fastest driver with a 1:16.441, two-tenths ahead of Paul Aron in second, with Jak Crawford close behind in third.
Hauger and Martins completed the top five, with Juan Manuel Correa in sixth to 18th place, separated by just four-tenths.
