REPORT: All set for the Sprint in Spielberg

The first day of on-track action at the Red Bull Ring for the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix is complete, with the grid set for Saturday’s 100km Sprint.

Friday began with the sole Practice session, so data gathering was essential. Completing a run plan offset to the rest of the field, we completed our soft tyre running early in the hour before switching onto the mediums after a short red flag period.

Alex Albon completed 29 tours of this short circuit, with a best time of 1:06.995 placing him P18, whilst Logan Sargeant notched up just one lap fewer with his quickest effort being a 1:07.259 for P20.

Heading into the fast and furious Sprint Qualifying session, our drivers rolled out of the garage for their two SQ1 laps with eight minutes remaining in the session.

After their first pushes, Logan sat in P12 and Alex in P17 with one more attempt left to make it through.

Our pair would improve, with Sarge’s 1:06.518 placing him P14 and into SQ2, whilst Alex was knocked out after his 1:06.754 left him P19.

As the only Williams in the second stage of Sprint Quali, Logan left the pit lane with three minutes remaining, within a group of seven cars setting just one timed lap.

Unfortunately, Logan ran beyond track limits at T6 meaning his lap time was deleted and he’ll line up P15 on the grid for the Sprint.

"SQ1 was a good build-up, however in SQ2, I didn’t quite get Turn 1 and 3 right, attempting to make it up in the second half of the lap," Sarge shared.

"I managed this, but then clipped the gravel in Turn 6 and that was unfortunately out.

"I’m still happy with my session and think it’s a good place to be starting tomorrow.

"The conditions are changing from session to session. We are being proactive with set-up and countering the differences and I feel like we did a good job and turned things around from FP1 to Sprint Qualifying, so we’ll just keep trying to do a bit more of the same.

"It’s been a good step forward from Barcelona."

Alex continued our Friday reaction by adding: "I couldn’t quite pull it together through Turn 3 and 4, struggling with the balance and just not able to get around it.

"I tried to play around with driving styles and tools, but it didn’t really work.

"With one shot in Sprint Qualifying, I just didn’t get it right. I regret not being a bit more extreme with my changes from FP1 to Sprint Qualifying, but we’ll make some changes and try to get more out of it tomorrow."

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, rounded up our Friday by commenting: "With only one Free Practice session, having the car in the right window for Sprint Qualifying was always going to be tricky.

"Unfortunately, Alex struggled with the balance of his car and didn’t make it out of SQ1.

"Logan did a good job and got into SQ2 with a clean and decent last push lap.

"In SQ2, we knew he had to give it his all to gain some places on the grid but unfortunately couldn't get it all lined up and his lap was deleted.

"Nevertheless, he will be in a good position tomorrow to fight and look out for opportunities.

"With Alex, we’ll make some changes to the setup after the Sprint Race, ahead of Qualifying, and will use the Sprint to gather valuable information for the Grand Prix on Sunday."