Formula 1’s European summer swing continues with the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28, live on Sky Sports.
After Lewis Hamilton’s first victory for Ferrari, all eyes will be on the 41-year-old to see if he can continue to surge into contention for a record eighth world championship.
Hamilton trails leader Kimi Antonelli by 41 points after the Italian retired in Barcelona following a technical failure on his Mercedes, leaving the 19-year-old to deal with a first moment of major adversity in 2026 after a fairytale start to his campaign.
George Russell also benefitted from Antonelli’s retirement as he finished second behind Hamilton to get back within 50 points of his Mercedes team-mate.
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Highlights from the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
While Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to start the weekend as favourites, McLaren showed signs of improvement in Spain and will be eyeing a first win of the season for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri.
A further sub-plot will be provided by Red Bull returning to Austria for the team’s home race, with Max Verstappen’s future still up in the air.
Red Bull Ring track
The Red Bull Ring is the shortest of the year in terms of lap time, with Lando Norris taking last year’s pole position with a lap in the 1:03s.
Officially, the 2.7-mile track has 10 corners but only seven of them require the drivers to brake. However, it is one of the best for overtaking with three consecutive DRS zones from the main straight all the way to Turn 4.
There’s always action up the hill towards Turn 3, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton clashing there in 2016 on the last lap, Max Verstappen bumping Charles Leclerc in 2019 and Verstappen colliding with Norris in 2024.
The lap ends with two fast right-handers where track limits was previously an issue, but gravel on the exits of those corners have limited the problem.
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Watch back the moment Lando Norris and Max Verstappen crash in the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, with both drivers then missing out on the win
Spielberg weather for F1 race
Conditions in Styria are set to be extremely hot, with temperatures throughout the weekend expected to be up around 30C.
The early forecast does suggest the heat could come with a risk of electric storms, which has the potential to add a further layer of intrigue.
Austrian GP 2026 dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule
Thursday June 25
2pm: Drivers’ press conference
5pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday June 26
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Austrian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.30pm: Team bosses’ press conference
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Austrian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday June 27
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Austrian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: AUSTRIAN GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 28
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: F2 Feature Race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Austrian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Austrian GP reaction: Chequered Flag
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the Austrian Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from the first practice session on Friday morning to the Austrian Grand Prix itself on Sunday June 28 at 2pm
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!
Not got Sky?
Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog
FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the Austrian GP with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports Subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Watch’ section at 12.30pm for build-up, ahead of lights out at 2pm on raceday
- Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD
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Formula 1’s European season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
