Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix stirred Formula 1 both on and off the track. Mercedes finished the day as the main reference at the Red Bull Ring, while technical updates, component swaps, and behind-the-scenes rumors also dominated the news.
Kimi Antonelli led FP1 and FP2 in Spielberg, establishing Mercedes as the early favorite for pole position and victory. The German team also debuted new power unit components and battery modules, introduced in response to recent reliability issues. George Russell is still seeking better balance in the car, but the team’s overall pace in quick laps and race simulations drew attention.
The weekend also began with substantial technical activity. The FIA confirmed changes to power unit components across several teams, including Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Red Bull Racing, all within permitted limits and without penalties on the starting grid. The changes included internal combustion engines, turbochargers, MGU-K, and energy storage systems.
Aerodynamic updates were also a highlight. Cadillac announced ten new developments for the Austrian GP, more than any other team, while Audi, Red Bull, and Alpine also brought significant packages. Ferrari introduced four items, some of which were aimed at testing in FP, and McLaren registered changes to the rear end package and the rear wing.
Off the track, Red Bull could lose Paul Monaghan to Cadillac, another potential significant departure from its technical staff. In Haas, Leonardo Fornaroli has come onto the radar for 2027 after a recent test, while Rafael Câmara also features among the names under consideration by the team for the future.
