PRACTICE: Goethe leads the way for MP Motorsport in Spielberg

MP Motorsport’s Oliver Goethe was fastest in the Spielberg Free Practice, completing a 1:16.978 to lead the way by 0.070s to Nikola Tsolov, with Alexander Dunne a further tenth behind in third.

After the early installation laps, the fast times began as Gabriele Minì set the pace on a 1:17.384 – 0.080s ahead of Kush Maini in second.

On the next set of push laps, it was Minì’s MP teammate Goethe that led the way. The German’s 1:16.978 put him on top by 0.250s to Tsolov.

Tsolov improved on his next lap but remained in second. However, the Campos Racing driver had closed to within 0.070s of P1.

Rafael Câmara then set the fastest first sector but he, like the rest of his rivals, was forced to abandon his lap and return to the pitlane with the Red Flags being waved.

Cian Shields had run wide through the gravel at the exit of Turn 6 before spinning into a stoppage, with the marshals needing to clear his AIX Racing car from the track.

The green light was on with less than 25 minutes to go, but the teams waited a little longer before sending their cars out.

The drivers started to return to the track with just under 20 minutes to go although there were no instant improvements.

Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak jumped up from P11 to sixth but was demoted to seventh once Noel León moved up to P4 late on.

Long run pace was the focus for several meaning there no changes to the timesheets, with Goethe leading the way ahead of Tsolov and Dunne.

León was fourth, ahead of Câmara, Minì and Inthraphuvasak. Rafael Villagómez was eighth, ahead of Colton Herta as Maini completed the top 10.

The drivers will return to the track for Qualifying later today at 15:55 local time. Who will take pole position at the Red Bull Ring?