Charles Leclerc led the way for Ferrari as Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas both found the barrier during second practice in Austria.
The Monegasque was one of only two top-six drivers to complete a proper low-fuel run on the soft compound tyres, posting a 1m05.086s in scorching Spielberg.
It was the two crashes which highlighted the afternoon, however.
Verstappen would be the first as he lost control on the apex of the final corner and slid backwards into the barrier on the outside.
Less than 10 minutes later, it was the Mercedes taking a bite out of the wall as Bottas slid entering Turn 6 only for a tank-slapper to spit the Finn across the gravel into the wall.
In both circumstances, a stiff wind was blamed as well as the hot temperatures both putting grip as a premium.
Bottas’ best time on the medium tyre was still quick enough for second fastest, three-tenths behind Leclerc, and just ahead of Pierre Gasly, who was the other top-six driver to complete a soft tyre run.
Lewis Hamilton was fourth with his best time coming on the hard tyre due to the disruption.
It was confirmed between sessions that Carlos Sainz will take a grid penalty for new engine components, but his pace remains strong as he remained the top midfield runner in fifth.
Romain Grosjean highlighted Haas’ improvement in sixth with Kimi Raikkonen seventh in the scrambled order.
Sebastian Vettel’s soft tyre run almost ended like Verstappen’s as he lost control entering Turn 10, but a small gravel trap saved the German and he was able to return to the pits, albeit with wrecked tyres.
The error left him eighth fastest with Verstappen and Lando Norris completing the top 10.
Down the field, Renault was the team to be setback by the red flags as Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo failed to complete a soft tyre run in 16th and 17th.
Kevin Magnussen maintained Haas’ strong performance in 11th, just ahead of Sergio Perez, who benefitted to claim P12 for Racing Point.
There was a close call for Leclerc in the race simulation as he passed Antonio Giovinazzi into Turn 3 only for the Alfa Romeo to almost turn into the Ferrari at the apex.
Sainz also had a scare as he had the same slide as Bottas at Turn 6 but thankfully without the tank-slapper, allowing the McLaren driver to continue.
A strange session that has left the field none the wiser as to the pecking order heading into Saturday, but if the wind remains strong and the temperatures high, a thrilling weekend is in prospect.
Full results from Practice 2 can be seen below:
