Noah Stromsted sets the pace for TRIDENT in Austria Practice
Stromsted strikes first in Austria
Noah Stromsted made the ideal start to his Round 4 weekend in Austria, topping Practice for TRIDENT with a benchmark lap of 1:22.410. In a session defined by steady track evolution and late improvements, the Dane emerged fastest ahead of ARTâs Taito Kato, while Freddie Slater completed the top three.
The result gave TRIDENT early control of the weekend narrative, even if Katoâs final improvement prevented the Italian squad from locking out the top two. With Qualifying scheduled for Friday afternoon, the Practice order offered the first meaningful indication of momentum before the grid is decided.
Early pace shifts before TRIDENT takes command
Once the installation laps were complete, Yevan David established the first representative time with a 1:24.837. Stromsted quickly lowered the target, moving comfortably clear on a 1:23.387, before Tuukka Taponen briefly took over at the top.
The pace continued to sharpen as Hiyu Yamakoshi posted a 1:22.814, only for compatriot Jin Nakamura to put Hitech ahead with a 1:22.693 just over 20 minutes from the end. At that point, the session had settled into a familiar Practice rhythm: incremental gains, shifting reference points and a field still searching for the lap that would stand up.
Campos Racing then briefly seized the initiative. Ernesto Rivera led a team one-two with a 1:22.594, edging teammate Théophile Nael by 0.052s as the Red Bull Junior Team driver moved to the top.
Kato interrupts TRIDENT one-two at the flag
Stromstedâs decisive response came with the 1:22.410 that ultimately remained unbeaten. The track then fell quiet before the final 10 minutes, but TRIDENTâs strength became clearer when Slater climbed to second, 0.176s adrift of his teammate.
The final minutes brought one last burst of activity as drivers chased improvements before Qualifying. Kato was the most effective late mover, jumping to P2 at the chequered flag and splitting the TRIDENT pair.
Rivera and Nael finished fourth and fifth for Campos, ahead of Nakamura in sixth. Pedro Clerot took seventh for Rodin Motorsport, with Van Amersfoort Racing teammates Bruno del Pino and Yamakoshi eighth and ninth. Kanato Le completed the top 10.
Qualifying for Round 4 in Spielberg is set for Friday afternoon, with the green light scheduled for 15:00 local time.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.