Official 2026 Austrian Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

After an excellent race in Barcelona (unless you’re Charles Leclerc) we’re in Austria for what is always a fun race. The tight circuit should suit the current power units well, so expect some good racing and a lot of passing.

Last year Antonelli channeled his inner Bottas and took out Max at the start. This year he’ll start as strong favourite- what a transformation for the 19 year old. Red Bull is bringing some major upgrades to Spielberg and Max will be one to watch.

Here’s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June 2026

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of all competitive sessions.





2025 Highlights: Norris win

https://youtu.be/Wj6DHG0X66k?si=iLnfJxOUWP4YkNaA

Tyres:

Soft compounds: C3 C4 C5

2025 Result:

[Diderot]

Thanks as ever PiaP.

Lando always goes well here, so has my vote. I hope Lewis continues his run of good form.

[Jasandjules]

I have not got the faintest idea. If those Ferrari upgrades are a couple of tenths a lap and they bring an engine upgrade, who knows what can happen... That being said it is long corners which appear to suit Mercs better soooooo Kimi...

[Still Mulling]

Thanks, PiaP!

Not sure how to call this one. If RB’s upgrades are effective, there could four teams in the mix! Not bad for a rules reset, when one traditionally steals a march for the first season.

[Arrivalist]

As always, my optimism wins out so have gone for a Lewis win.

[Derek Smith]

My thanks as well to PiaP.

Austria feels like an inflated go-kart track to me but we tend to get some exciting races.

Last year's race featured the battle between the McLarens and Piastri locking up and all but ramming Norris. We might well get something similar this season, but with the Mercs, and maybe the Ferraris as well. MV will not want to start midfield again as he was hit by a Merc last year. Maybe again this is he's near the front.

All the predictions about which circuits suit which cars and power units tends to be turned upside down once the flag drops. Strange season.

[brownspeed]

once more - thanks PiaP.
Heart says Lewis
Head;- Kimi.
hopefully an entertaining race.

[willy wombat]

As ever, thanks PiaP. We’re heading off in the middle of the week to the Red Bull Ring and would love to see Lewis repeat his Barcelona success so have voted for him (more in hope than expectation?).

[BrownEaredDog]

Piginapoke said:

Last year Antonelli channeled his inner Bottas and took out Max at the start.

Almost spat my wine out when I read this, thanks for the laugh

Thanks for the thread too, Mister Poke. I always enjoy Austria; I've gone for Max this time out, the Orange Army support is worth half a second a lap

(although I *want* Lewis to win )

[BrownEaredDog]

Derek Smith said:

My thanks as well to PiaP.

Austria feels like an inflated go-kart track to me but we tend to get some exciting races.

Last year's race featured the battle between the McLarens and Piastri locking up and all but ramming Norris. We might well get something similar this season, but with the Mercs, and maybe the Ferraris as well. MV will not want to start midfield again as he was hit by a Merc last year. Maybe again this is he's near the front.

All the predictions about which circuits suit which cars and power units tends to be turned upside down once the flag drops. Strange season.

A strange season indeed, but I'm enjoying it so far.

I'm quite a fan of the circuit, there's always a bit of chaos at turn 3 (are they still calling that gentle curve on the straight turn 2?) and the high-speed corner (turn 4? 5? ) demands a lot of the drivers. A good exit from the previous corner can lead to unlikely overtakes here, maybe more so now that they can deploy their energy reserves in more places?

[Derek Smith]

BrownEaredDog said:

A strange season indeed, but I'm enjoying it so far.

I'm quite a fan of the circuit, there's always a bit of chaos at turn 3 (are they still calling that gentle curve on the straight turn 2?) and the high-speed corner (turn 4? 5? ) demands a lot of the drivers. A good exit from the previous corner can lead to unlikely overtakes here, maybe more so now that they can deploy their energy reserves in more places?

I agree with everything you say, particularly with regard enjoying it so far. It has been tremendous.

[carinaman]

This is my 'go to' F1 thread, even if my interest has waned this year. Thank you.

[HocusPocus]

Thanks PiaP....reliable as the VW ad.

Will there be resurgence from Aston Martin? Could Stroll out qualify Alonso or Alonso to score points again? The Newey nightmare has to come good at some point.

Lewis to come up with the win again.

[thegreenhell]

Ferrari are rumoured to be bringing their first engine upgrade of the two they are allowed under ADUO.

[Josemartinez]

I always look forward to this race. I feel it's underrated and we normally get a good race with some good battles.

I've gone for Leclerc im the hope he can get back on form after a nightmare last couple of weekends despite being quick.

[Piginapoke]

thegreenhell said:

Ferrari are rumoured to be bringing their first engine upgrade of the two they are allowed under ADUO.

Thanks, I forgot about that

Sadly this is another race I’ll miss as I’m away cycling

[5s Alive]

I generally watch the Ch4 highlights after the race but these threads are great entertainment until then. Brilliant insights into the technicalities with informative and friendly arguments to boot - with the notable exception of mercifully few contrarians. Thanks for the effort PiaP and to all those who contribute.

I hope Lewis can maintain the challenge but there's the thorny issue of two fast Mercs, and Leclerc isn't going to be stuffing it into the barriers on a regular basis, adapting to a different braking performance or not.

[BrownEaredDog]

Derek Smith said:

I agree with everything you say, particularly with regard enjoying it so far. It has been tremendous.

It certainly has - after a slightly wobbly start - and I hope that this bodes well for next season too. The fact that no one particular team quite seems to have a handle on the new regulations as a whole is making things very interesting. As you referred to in your previous post, the unpredictability is quite the surprise The pundits seem to have wound their collective necks in over the past few weeks

I'll admit to being a little cynical with regard to the formula at the start of the season, but I'm eating my words right now

[Big Nanas]

BrownEaredDog said:

Derek Smith said:

I agree with everything you say, particularly with regard enjoying it so far. It has been tremendous.

It certainly has - after a slightly wobbly start - and I hope that this bodes well for next season too. The fact that no one particular team quite seems to have a handle on the new regulations as a whole is making things very interesting. As you referred to in your previous post, the unpredictability is quite the surprise The pundits seem to have wound their collective necks in over the past few weeks

I'll admit to being a little cynical with regard to the formula at the start of the season, but I'm eating my words right now

I'd agree.
I think what's changed is we don't have the 'yo-yo' overtakes that we had at the first couple of races.

[TVR Sagaris]

Hurray. I've gone for Hamilton as well, he's on top form.