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.
George Russell took pole position in dramatic fashion on Saturday, correctly identifying that single-waved yellow flags were being displayed after Max Verstappen had crashed in Q3. Despite lifting into Turn 9, he was still fast enough to deny Ferrari what had appeared to be a certain one-two for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Antonelli starts from fourth.
In the heat, tyre wear is expected to play a significant factor in the race, potentially creating some strategy variation, as was seen last time out in Spain.
Grand Prix: 2:00pm BST - 4:00pm BST
Mercedes has been warned that Verstappen could trigger an early pit stop phase in order to try an undercut on Hamilton. With another fresh set of mediums, and two sets of hards...but wait! On Turn 3 of Lap 11, Verstappen sends it and passes Hamilton!
Hamilton gets the place back at Turn 4 as Verstappen locks up, and they bang wheels as things shake out with the Ferrari still ahead. Here we go again!
Hamilton is really beginning to struggle now. We're on lap 10 of 71.
Hamilton must have made an error. He's complaining about oversteer, but has dropped 2.6s off Russell, with Verstappen all over his gearbox now.
Out of Turn 3 on Lap 7, Antonelli lines up Leclerc, but he's still too far back to make a move. A poor exit gives Antonelli another look, but he can't take the chance.
BUT Leclerc had used so much energy defending, that he was a sitting duck on the run to Turn 9. Antonelli is up to P4, and has clear air to close on Verstappen.
Perez is now out as well for Cadillac. The team's day lasted just four laps, after he had reported smoke coming from his cockpit.
Here comes Verstappen. He's closing on the lead duo, as Hamilton closes to within 0.8s of Russell.
Lawson is now reporting that he's on fire. He's in P8 right now, and there is no sign of anything untoward.
Russell and Hamilton are breaking clear of the pack.
Bottas' Cadillac is caked in extinguisher fluid. His day is done.
Bottas is reporting that his brakes are "on fire". With Cadillac recently, that could be a very literal message!
Antonelli tries to throw one down the inside of Leclerc at Turn 1 and goes off again. He gives the place back and ends up losing out to Verstappen as well. Now, the McLaren's are swarming all over the Mercedes' gearbox!
Russell leads away as he and Leclerc switch sides. Antonelli is forced off the track at Turn 1. Antonelli goes off again at Turn 3. Hamilton forces his way around the outside of Leclerc for P2 at Turn 3 and he aggressively moves up to P2.
The grid is formed, the lights go out, and we are racing in Austria!
Back to the grid. This will take a while to form up again.
Russell is well over half way around the track, and the Aston Martin drivers have only just left the grid!
Here we go. Time got the formation lap. This might be taken at a more steady pace than usual.
Five minutes until lights out. We're ready to go!
Three key areas to look out for on lap one - Turns one, three, and four. All three corners have heavy braking zones on entry, and all have different undulations.
Having fully functioning brakes is crucial, and that is not something it looks like Norris will enjoy.
The track temperatures is up to 60C, so the tyres will be screaming within a couple of laps. Two stops, three stops, four stops even...who knows!?!
It's time for the national anthem. It's always unpredictable how they will do this here!
Hans Zimmer was a particular highlight the other year!
Maybe we spoke slightly too soon there. Norris has reported a long brake pedal. The mechanics are sorting everything out.
All the drivers have made their way to the grid, the party atmosphere is building, and the 10-minute warning for the anthem has been given. Oddly, it appears calm across the grid, with no major technical concerns.
This race will make for intriguing viewing, with the high temperatures expected to cause increased levels of tyre deg. In this respect, Verstappen is in a very nice position with two sets of mediums and two sets of hards to play with from fifth place on the grid.
If this is the first time you have logged on since qualifying, here is a handy explainer as to why George Russell's qualifying effort was allowed to stand amid the yellow flag controversy on Saturday.
The engines have first up, and the drivers are off for some sighting laps as they head to the grid.
Good afternoon and welcome to race day at the Red Bull Ring. The Austrian Grand Prix is here, and we are ready to get things going, with George Russell starting on pole from Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Antonelli.