George Russell won the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix pole after a chaotic qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring.
The German driver recorded the fastest lap under yellow flags following Max Verstappen’s crash, allowing him to leapfrog rivals.
Charles Leclerc finished second, passing Lewis Hamilton, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli put in a solid lap to start fourth after the session’s disruption, missing a chance to climb higher.
The Red Bull Ring will be hot, dry and sunny; FIA’s Heat Hazard remains active, meaning tyre management, cooling and driver stamina will be crucial for the race.
Broadcasting
In the United States, Apple TV is carrying the entire weekend free for local viewers, and it will serve as the primary partner for the 2026 season. F1 TV continues to offer a global subscription stream.
The United Kingdom’s exclusive partner is Sky Sports; the event will also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with Channel 4 showing free highlights.
Motorsport.com will deliver live updates and coverage throughout the event, while fans worldwide can access global streaming through the official F1 service.
Schedule
- Friday 26 June – Free Practice 1: 1:30 pm CEST
- Friday 26 June – Free Practice 2: 5:00 pm CEST
- Saturday 27 June – Free Practice 3: 12:30 pm CEST
- Saturday 27 June – Qualifying: 4:00 pm CEST
- Sunday 28 June – Race: 3:00 pm CEST (UK 2:00 pm BST, US 9:00 am ET)
Track Overview
The Red Bull Ring is a short, fast permanent road course in Austria, featuring long straights, heavy braking zones, and a decisive final sector where traffic and track limits can quickly alter positions.
Drivers will have to navigate this layout while coping with potentially high temperatures that add demand on both tyres and drivers, especially over the course of extended traffic battles.
With heat imposing a critical strategy element, teams will watch closely as the opening lap unfolds, a moment often decisive for the final standings in this venue.
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