SPIELBERG, Austria : George Russell overcame a braking problem to edge Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli in the third and final practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, denying the Formula One championship leader a clean sweep of practice.
Russell clocked the fastest lap of the session to finish 0.038 seconds clear of Antonelli, who had topped both practice sessions on Friday.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was third quickest, a further 0.115 seconds adrift of Antonelli, despite encountering a late problem when his rear wheels locked under braking.
Antonelli, winner of five of the season’s seven races, had displaced defending champion Lando Norris from the top of the timesheets early in the session after the McLaren driver reported a broken mirror.
Russell, winner of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, complained of braking issues during the session.
“Really bad straight-line braking on the front axle,” Russell told his team over the radio.
The Briton nevertheless produced his quickest lap in the closing minutes to move ahead of his 19-year-old teammate.
“When someone has been quick, he’s always been able to find himself and win. Kimi is very fast. That’s why we hired him, and George the same,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sports.
“George doesn’t need to prove to anyone that he has the speed, we know he has, and the ability.”
Hamilton, who trails Antonelli by 41 points in the championship standings, also voiced concerns over his late braking issue.
“I locked up in turn three, locked the rears. We need to check the gearbox. It said it was shifting but I was still in anti-stall,” he said over the team radio.
