Austrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton dominates practice as F1 returns

The delayed campaign finally got under way at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring on Friday, three-and-a-half months after the doomed Australian Grand Prix was cancelled and 215 days since the final competitive action in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year.

It marks the longest break in Formula One history after this season's calendar was torn up following the Covid-19 pandemic.

But there was a familiar name at the top of the time charts in Austria, as Hamilton - this year bidding to equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven world championships - set a blistering pace.

The 35-year-old Mercedes driver's nearest challenger in both practice sessions was team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was third fastest in first practice, 0.6 seconds off the pace, while Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was fourth in the second session, 0.66 seconds adrift.

Verstappen was only ninth quickest in second practice, with Renault's Daniel Ricciardo fifth. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was way down in 10th.

Mercedes, who have ditched their traditional silver livery for black this term in the fight against racism, confirmed they are using their controversial Dual-Axis System (DAS).

The device, which they first unveiled at testing in February, allows Hamilton to pull his steering wheel towards him, narrowing the alignment of the front wheels on his Mercedes and increasing his straight-line speed. He can also push the wheel away before cornering to improve the car's set-up.

And the early evidence suggests that the concept will enable the sport's all-conquering team to begin yet another campaign as the team to beat as they go in search of a seventh consecutive drivers' and constructors' championship.

Team principal Toto Wolff was wearing a face visor in the Mercedes garage as the sport operates under unprecedented measures during the coronavirus crisis.

Face masks are mandatory, while teams are operating in mini-bubbles to ensure a positive Covid-19 test will not close the show as it did in Melbourne back in March. There were no fans at the circuit.

It was McLaren's withdrawal - after one of their team members contracted, and later recovered, from the virus - which set the chain in motion for the event to be called off.