15:39
Verstappen has stayed in the pits, and has dropped to P10. But every driver behind him is improving!
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
15:39
Into the final minute of the session, and Antonelli heads out again.
15:37
Norris improves to third on new tyres, while Russell goes fourth on used rubber. He should be safe on a 1m06.979s.
15:37
It's a personal best for Russell, but it's not hugely impressive so far. Meanwhile, Norris is going purple.
15:36
A set of used tyres for Russell. "George, just drive," says Wolff. It seems that all is not well. Currently, he is the only driver without a time.
15:35
Five minutes remain, and Norris is the first driver out again. He is in P7 at the moment.
15:33
But Piastri enters the Antonelli postcode, as Russell bails on his effort and returns to the pits.
15:33
A new set for Antonelli, who sets an incredible 1m06.763s! He's in another post code to the rest at the minute!
15:32
Norris is being forced rapidly down the order. That damage seems to be carrying a heavy price. Leclerc goes to the top from Hamilton, with Verstappen and Hadjar next up.
Both Ferraris and Hadjar were on new rubber, while Verstappen was on used tyres.
15:30
Verstappen will be the next driver to start a timed effort. Other than Russell and Piastri, all the other drivers are on the track.
15:29
Q2 underway
Q2 begins, but bad news for Norris, after he suffers floor damage on a kerb in the earlier session. He's the first out and puts in a 1m07.321s. That's fractionally off his Q1 best, and should be safe enough.
15:23
Out in Q1
Making up the back of the grid are
17. Sainz
18. Albon
19. Perez
20. Bottas
21. Alonso
22. Stroll
15:19
CHequered flag
The chequered flag falls, and it's the two Williams, Cadillac and Aston Martin drivers who are out.
15:18
Mechanics are looking at the front of Norris' McLaren. Unclear what the issue is at the moment.
15:16
Here come the final runs. Hadjar goes early and moves up to P5.
15:10
Russell completes another effort on his used tyres and improves, but he's only P8.
15:09
In the bottom six right now are Sainz, Perez, Bottas, Alonso, Stroll, and Bortoleto - who is yet to set a time.
15:08
Antonelli completes his lap and it's a 1m07.083s, putting him to the top.
The early order is
- Antonelli
- Norris
- Hamilton
- Verstappen
- Hajdar
- Piastri
- Leclerc
- Russell
- Gasly
- Bearman
15:07
After looking strong with his opening effort, Russell is down to P7. He has work to do.
15:06
And there's Verstappen. A 1m07.407s puts him to the top, before Norris displaces him. Hadjar is now up to third, but Antonelli is on his way.
15:04
The early times are flying in now with the lap so short. Hulkenberg sets the early pace with a 1m08.509s. But Russell moves ahead with a 1m08.509s.
15:00
Q1 underway
Q1 has begun, and Ocon is the first driver out, leading the Cadillac pair, as Bottas and Perez need pulling back to complete a bizarre three-point turn.
14:59
We're in the final countdown to the action. One minute before Q1 gets underway at the Red Bull Ring.
14:52
'I'm trying to think of anything he's done wrong' - Bernie Ecclestone on Mohammed Ben Sulayem's reign
You can always rely on former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to give an interesting opinion. It's likely he would find more than a few people with opposing opinions within the paddock.
Ecclestone spoke to media including Crash.net in Austria
14:44
The story of the weekend so far has been Antonelli's return to form. Until the race in Barcelona, Antonelli had been somewhat off the pace, but he was on it from the word go in Austria.
Hamilton is also looking strong as he aims for back-to-back wins for the first time in half a decade.