Mercedes fastest in Austrian GP practice

Lewis Hamilton led Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in practice for the Austrian Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo 8th fastest in his Red Bull.

Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo expects Mercedes to be back to peak performance at the Austrian Grand Prix. (AAP)

The Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg finished one-two in Friday's second practice session for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was quickest on the Red Bull Ring with a time of 1 minute 9.542 seconds while the world championship leader Rosberg - currently 22 points ahead of Hamilton in the standings - was 0.377 seconds behind his team-mate.

Rosberg was fastest in Friday's first practice ahead of Hamilton.

The Mercedes team is hoping to bounce back after the Canadian Grand Prix - the first race they did not win, as Rosberg was second and Hamilton failed to finish due to technical problems.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was third in the second practice, 0.551 seconds behind Rosberg, followed by the Williams duo of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa.

Red Bull were unable to take advantage of the home track as reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel was sixth - 0.888 seconds behind Rosberg - and Canadian GP winner Daniel Ricciardo was eighth.

Light rain and wind caused problems during both practice sessions, especially the first practice when Vettel had a double spin after getting on the wet grass.

Formula One is returning to Austria for the first time in 11 years.

Qualifying takes place Saturday before the race on Sunday.


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