Piastri third as Dunne enjoys 'best day of my life'
World championship leader Oscar Piastri has been overshadowed by an in-form rival and a surprise package as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged.
McLaren's Australian driver had to settle for third place in first practice on Friday at Spielberg.
Britain's George Russell, who won from pole in Canada two weeks ago, retained the momentum in his Mercedes to set the time for the quickest lap of 1 minute 05.542 seconds.
But much of the talk centred on Alex Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who replaced Piastri's team-mate, Lando Norris.
He was fourth fastest and only 0.069 slower than Piastri, who was 0.155 off Russell's quickest lap.
Dunne, 19, the Formula Two leader, replaced Norris as part of the team's obligation to give track time to young drivers. Norris was due to resume his seat for second practice later in the day.
Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life.
"Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car."
World champion Max Verstappen, a five-time winner at Speilberg, was second at Red Bull's home grand prix.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points after 10 of 24 races, will be back on track for the first time since he collided with his team-mate while challenging for fourth place in Canada.
Piastri finished the race in fourth but Norris could not cross the finish line, missing out on crucial points.
Another Formula Two driver behind the wheel was Dino Beganovic, who took over Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. But there was no dream ending for the Swede who placed 18th.
World championship leader Oscar Piastri has been overshadowed by an in-form rival and a surprise package as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged.
McLaren's Australian driver had to settle for third place in first practice on Friday at Spielberg.
Britain's George Russell, who won from pole in Canada two weeks ago, retained the momentum in his Mercedes to set the time for the quickest lap of 1 minute 05.542 seconds.
But much of the talk centred on Alex Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who replaced Piastri's team-mate, Lando Norris.
He was fourth fastest and only 0.069 slower than Piastri, who was 0.155 off Russell's quickest lap.
Dunne, 19, the Formula Two leader, replaced Norris as part of the team's obligation to give track time to young drivers. Norris was due to resume his seat for second practice later in the day.
Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life.
"Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car."
World champion Max Verstappen, a five-time winner at Speilberg, was second at Red Bull's home grand prix.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points after 10 of 24 races, will be back on track for the first time since he collided with his team-mate while challenging for fourth place in Canada.
Piastri finished the race in fourth but Norris could not cross the finish line, missing out on crucial points.
Another Formula Two driver behind the wheel was Dino Beganovic, who took over Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. But there was no dream ending for the Swede who placed 18th.
World championship leader Oscar Piastri has been overshadowed by an in-form rival and a surprise package as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged.
McLaren's Australian driver had to settle for third place in first practice on Friday at Spielberg.
Britain's George Russell, who won from pole in Canada two weeks ago, retained the momentum in his Mercedes to set the time for the quickest lap of 1 minute 05.542 seconds.
But much of the talk centred on Alex Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who replaced Piastri's team-mate, Lando Norris.
He was fourth fastest and only 0.069 slower than Piastri, who was 0.155 off Russell's quickest lap.
Dunne, 19, the Formula Two leader, replaced Norris as part of the team's obligation to give track time to young drivers. Norris was due to resume his seat for second practice later in the day.
Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life.
"Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car."
World champion Max Verstappen, a five-time winner at Speilberg, was second at Red Bull's home grand prix.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points after 10 of 24 races, will be back on track for the first time since he collided with his team-mate while challenging for fourth place in Canada.
Piastri finished the race in fourth but Norris could not cross the finish line, missing out on crucial points.
Another Formula Two driver behind the wheel was Dino Beganovic, who took over Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. But there was no dream ending for the Swede who placed 18th.
World championship leader Oscar Piastri has been overshadowed by an in-form rival and a surprise package as the first blows for supremacy at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix were exchanged.
McLaren's Australian driver had to settle for third place in first practice on Friday at Spielberg.
Britain's George Russell, who won from pole in Canada two weeks ago, retained the momentum in his Mercedes to set the time for the quickest lap of 1 minute 05.542 seconds.
But much of the talk centred on Alex Dunne, the first Irish driver to take part in a grand prix weekend for 22 years and who replaced Piastri's team-mate, Lando Norris.
He was fourth fastest and only 0.069 slower than Piastri, who was 0.155 off Russell's quickest lap.
Dunne, 19, the Formula Two leader, replaced Norris as part of the team's obligation to give track time to young drivers. Norris was due to resume his seat for second practice later in the day.
Thanking his team over the radio as the chequered flag fell, Dunne said: "A little boy's dream came true, and this is definitely the best day of my life.
"Thank you everyone for letting me do this, and thanks to Lando as well for trusting me with his car."
World champion Max Verstappen, a five-time winner at Speilberg, was second at Red Bull's home grand prix.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points after 10 of 24 races, will be back on track for the first time since he collided with his team-mate while challenging for fourth place in Canada.
Piastri finished the race in fourth but Norris could not cross the finish line, missing out on crucial points.
Another Formula Two driver behind the wheel was Dino Beganovic, who took over Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. But there was no dream ending for the Swede who placed 18th.
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