WATCH: Yuki Tsunoda beats Kevin Magnussen in an epic duel at Austrian Grand Prix

In a gripping showdown at the Red Bull Ring during Friday’s practice session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda of VCARB engaged in a thrilling duel with Kevin Magnussen from Haas. This duel showcased the remarkable driving prowess and tactical acumen of both drivers.

The session, initially dominated by Max Verstappen of Red Bull, saw Tsunoda and Magnussen steal the spotlight with their intense battle for supremacy on the track. Tsunoda, known for his aggressive yet skilful driving style, demonstrated his capabilities early on, manoeuvring his VCARB to challenge Magnussen's Haas for the position.

Here is the video:

"This is going to be fun stuff!"



Tsunoda and Magnussen go racing in FP1 😃#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/5d29oug66c

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 28, 2024

As the session unfolded, Tsunoda’s display of unmatched moves allowed him to surpass Magnussen decisively, taking a commanding lead in their duel. Formula 1 enthusiasts and officials alike took notice of the exhilarating contest, with F1 itself sharing visuals of the intense on-track action, underscoring the intensity and competitiveness of the sport.

Can Max Verstappen face a challenge in Sprint qualifications?

The session, crucial in setting up for the Sprint Qualifying format used in several Grand Prix weekends, including China and Miami, saw drivers and teams racing against the clock to fine-tune their cars for optimal performance.

Verstappen, despite encountering a mid-session issue that briefly halted his progress, managed to set the fastest lap time of 1m 05.685s on soft tyres, edging out his competitors including Oscar Piastri of McLaren and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Meanwhile, Mercedes faced challenges as Lewis Hamilton opted for a different strategy by sticking with hard tyres, a decision that saw him and teammate George Russell finishing fifth and eighth respectively in the session.

On the other hand, Esteban Ocon of Alpine continued his strong performance in sixth place, ahead of Lance Stroll of Aston Martin and Tsunoda, who battled technical issues with his steering column throughout the session yet managed a commendable performance.