Formula 1: Russell surpasses Antonelli in the last training session for the Austrian GP
George Russell prevented his Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, from completing the free practice sessions for the Austrian Grand Prix with 100% success.
Despite facing a problem with the brakes, the Brit recorded the best time in the third and final training session held this Saturday (27).
Formula 1 championship leader, Antonelli, who had been fastest in the two sessions on Friday (26), finished just behind Russell, just 0s038 slower.
Lewis Hamilton, from Ferrari and winner of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona at the beginning of the month, faced a problem at the end of the session, when the rear wheels locked during a corner. Still, he finished with the third best time, 0s115 behind Antonelli.
Antonelli, winner of five of the seven races this season, took the lead of the session right at the start, overtaking the current world champion, Lando Norris.
The McLaren driver even reported over the radio that one of the car's rear view mirrors was broken.
Russell recorded the second best lap despite dealing with difficulties in the braking system.
"Very bad straight-line braking on the front axle," Russell complained over the team radio.
Despite the problem, the Brit saved his best lap for the final minutes of the session and managed to overtake his 19-year-old teammate.
"When someone was fast, he always managed to find himself and win. Kimi is very fast. That's why we signed him, and the same goes for George. He doesn't need to prove to anyone that he has speed. We know he has speed and ability.", Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Sky Sports.
Hamilton, who occupies a position 41 points behind Antonelli in the championship, ended the session worried about the problem presented by the car in the curves.
"I braked in turn three, the rear wheels locked. We need to check the gearbox. The system indicated that it was changing gear, but I was still in anti-stall mode", said the seven-time world champion over the Ferrari radio.
Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, from Audi, finished in 13th place.
FIA announces package of changes to F1 rules starting from the next race | CNN SPORTS
Source: CNN