16:08
No further investigation! Wow. As per the regulations, that is a factually incorrect decision.
Leclerc in Austria
© XPB Images
F1 Austrian GP Saturday practice and qualifying as it happened
Live coverage of Saturday at the F1 Austrian Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Austrian weekend declared a 'Heat Hazard'
- Antonelli topped both Friday sessions
- Ferrari device banned with FIA clampdown
The eighth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Ring is a firm favourite among drivers and fans, with the long straights and heavy braking zones providing ample opportunities for overtaking action and, more importantly in the modern era, generating electrical energy back into the batteries.
Mercedes arrives in Austria looking to bounce back from a first defeat of the campaign, with Lewis Hamilton having toppled his former team in Barcelona with the assistance of a significant Ferrari upgrade package. However, Mercedes has been forced to remove some serrated edging on its diffuser in response to an FIA technical directive. While it is speculated that this will cost time, Mercedes believes the matter has been overplayed.
This weekend, it is Red Bull which brings the most new parts to the table, as the team attempts to pull closer to the top three outfits, having dropped back in recent weeks.
Kimi Antonelli topped both Friday sessions as George Russell was unable to deliver a clean effort. This left McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the top three, with Russell cautious of the threat consistently posed by the papaya team in hot conditions.
While Mercedes was forced to make changes to its diffuser due to an FIA technical directive, Ferrari has since been told that its exhaust winglet will not be allowed in 2027, with a new draft of the technical regulations detailing the change.
2026 Austrian Grand Prix Saturday schedule
FP3: 11:30am BST - 12:30pm BST
Qualifying: 3:00pm BST - 4:00pm BST
27 Jun 2026
17:10
"I did everything right" - George Russell defends disputed Austrian pole lap
"I did everything right" - George Russell defends disputed Austrian pole lap
George Russell maintained "I did everything right" after improving his qualifying time to take pole position at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, despite yellow flags being displayed during the effort.
The Mercedes driver set a stunning 1m06.133s effort to deny Ferrari a front-row lock-out at the Red Bull Ring as he scored a fourth pole position of the season.
Russell celebrates in Austria
© XPB Images
16:19
George Russell takes controversial Austria F1 pole after Max Verstappen crash
George Russell takes controversial Austria F1 pole after Max Verstappen crash
George Russell claimed a controversial pole position at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashed on his final lap.
F1 championship hopeful Russell snatched pole at the very end of a dramatic Q3 with a lap that denied Charles Leclerc and Ferrari a first pole position of the season by 0.236 seconds.
Russell was fastest in qualifying
16:18
17825729322026 F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Full qualifying results
2026 F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Full qualifying results
George Russell has taken a controversial pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver denied Ferrari a one-two after appearing only to lift through a section of double-waved yellow flags following a crash for Max Verstappen.
Russell celebrates a controversial pole
© XPB Images
16:05
Russell has now been noted for the infringement. He's all smiles, but that will not stand, and it will be a Ferrari front-row lockout.
16:03
Verstappen went off the track at Turn 9, and Russell then sped through double-waved yellows to set the fastest time of 1m06.113s.
Russell lifts, but he clearly was not prepared to stop as is the requirement.
16:01
Russell will have gone through yellow flags there. That result will not stand.
16:01
Antonelli is only P3! Verstappen is off, but Russell goes through and hits the top!
16:00
Norris and Piastri have no answers.
16:00
But Leclerc goes even faster! A 1m06.349s as the flag falls!
16:00
Hamilton goes fastest with a 1m06.408s!
15:59
Hadjar improves to P4. But he's about to be pushed way down.
15:59
Both Leclerc and Hamilton are going purple!
15:58
Two minutes to go, and here we go. The garages empty, and we're about to see the fastest laps of the weekend.
15:55
Hamilton didn't get a time in after running wide at Turn 3. He wanted to do another lap on those tyres, but the team hadn't fuelled him for an extra lap. All or nothing on this next effort for the Ferrari man.
15:54
Antonelli mutes the Dutch cheers, as he smashes in a 1m06.414s, with Russell completing a Mercedes 1-2 with an effort just 0.043s shy.
15:53
But Verstappen moves to the top with a 1m06.475s. Poastri moves into second, as Leclerc also forced Norris back.
15:53
A 1m06.900s for Norris, which Hadjar cannot match.
15:52
Purple sectors everywhere!
15:50
Here we go. The field head out, with Norris leading the way.
15:49
Q3 underway
It's all a little quiet right now. No one is heading out just yet.
15:46
On the positive for Red Bull and Verstappen, taking and surviving that risk at the end of Q2 means that he heads into Q2 with two new sets of tyres, matching the rest.
He entered qualifying a set short, so this was a calculated risk...that almost went wrong!
15:41
Out in Q2
Out in Q2 are:
11. Gasly
12. Bortoleto
13. Bearman
14. Hulkenberg
15. Ocon
16. Colapinto
15:40
Gasly also goes to P11! Verstappen improves by the skin of his teeth.
15:40
Bearman improves, but only to P11. Bortoleto does the same. Gasly next.