2026 Austrian Grand Prix Preview: Key Storylines

The Austrian Grand Prix is Formula 1’s annual race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Known for its fast layout, dramatic elevation changes and overtaking opportunities, it is one of the shortest but most action-packed races on the F1 calendar. This guide covers the key storylines, drivers to watch, track characteristics and everything you need to know before race weekend.

Hamilton’s resurgence and the Championship battle

Lewis Hamilton is starting to build momentum

The last race, in Barcelona, was significant. Lewis Hamilton earned his first win for Ferrari and his first win for any team since the Belgian Grand Prix in 2024. In the process, the Brit became the fourth-oldest driver to win a Formula One race.

He’s started this season strongly too, and sits just 41 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the drivers standings going into the Austrian GP. Hamilton will be aiming to continue his strong form in the coming weeks.

However, just because Antonelli didn’t finish the Spanish Grand Prix, it doesn’t mean he’s out of the running in Austria. He’ll be hoping to pick up where he left off in Monaco, with his DNF being a result of reliability issues rather than a driver mistake. The Mercedes cars have been performing well across the board so far, and an Antonelli win will swing momentum back in the direction of his team.

George Russell has been consistent this season too, sitting just a few points behind Hamilton after five top-four finishes so far. He won the Austrian Grand Prix just a couple of years ago, so he knows what needs to be done at one of the fastest tracks on the F1 calendar.

Why the Red Bull Ring Is One of Formula 1’s Best Circuits

The Red Bull Ring is always a sea of colour

The Austrian Grand Prix is one that’s highly anticipated by fans every season. It’s a short track, full of high-speed corners that make it a demanding circuit for both drivers and their cars. The middle section features a lot of long corners, through which the drivers don’t brake, and they put high stress on the car’s aerodynamics and tyres.

The track also features a lot of significant elevation changes, most notably heading into the iconic second corner. The long straights leading up to the tight corners provide ample opportunity for overtakes, which’ll only be increased this year thanks to the impact the regulation changes have had on how easy it is to pass on-track. “It’s a very interesting track, and all the corners are quite different, so it’s really important to find a good balance in the car,” Max Verstappen has said to the media ahead of the weekend.

As for why fans love it so much, you can’t look past the event’s spectacular setting. The track is surrounded by stunning mountains, which ramps up the atmosphere. That atmosphere is further improved by the festival-style vibes of the Grand Prix weekend. Live music, partying and loud support punctuate the racing and are the highlight for many attendees.

While it’s unlikely to be this weekend, the weather is also often unpredictable in the event’s Austrian location. The time of the year and the climate in the area mean rain is generally a possibility, and sometimes it arrives unexpectedly. This weekend, however, it’s going to be hot. A heatwave has been sweeping northern Europe all week, hitting record temperatures in many countries. That’s likely to continue into the weekend, with scorching heat levels for the Austrian GP expected.

Max Verstappen’s chances in Austria

Max Verstappen holds the record for most wins here

While Hamilton will be looking to continue his form and Mercedes will want to reassert their advantage, Max Verstappen has a phenomenal record in Austria. He has a record number of wins, with four victories to his name in the last 10 years. Without a win there since 2023, however, this year is a great opportunity to return to the top step of the podium.

After a disappointing DNF in Monaco, Verstappen finished fourth in Barcelona, so Austria is a good chance to continue that vein of form. It’s also a chance to impress the home fans once again. Speaking to SpeedWeek, Verstappen said: “Austria is, of course, a home Grand Prix for the team. The track has always suited me well in the past, and we have really good memories there.”

Red Bull Racing are also bringing an upgrade package to Austria. Following improved performance in Miami and Canada, following the implementation of other upgrades, this weekend will be a great chance to kick on further.

Austrian Grand Prix Schedule

Max Verstappen will be hoping for a boost from his car’s update

If you’re planning to tune into this weekend’s racing action, here are the start times for each of the sessions, in local time (CEST).

Practice 1 – Friday, June 26, 9:30pm AEST

Practice 2 – Saturday, June 27, 1:00am AEST

Practice 3 – Saturday, June 27, 8:30pm AEST

Qualifying – Sunday, June 28, 12:00am AEST

Race – Sunday, June 28, 11:00pm AEST

Previous Austrian Grand Prix Winners

Lando Norris won here last time out

The event has been a mainstay in the Formula 1 World Championship calendar since 1970. The last 10 winners of the event are:

2025 – Lando Norris

2024 – George Russell

2023 – Max Verstappen

2022 – Charles Leclerc

2021 – Max Verstappen

2020 – Valterri Bottas

2019 – Max Verstappen

2018 – Max Verstappen

2017 – Valteri Bottas

2016 – Lewis Hamilton

How will the hot weather impact the racing?

It’s already extremely hot down in the pit lane

As mentioned, the weather forecast predicts it’ll be a very hot weekend in Austria. Suggestions are it’ll be 32°C for Qualifying and the Race on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. While other events on the calendar are often hotter, it’s unusual for the Austrian Grand Prix to hit such temperatures.

The weather will change how teams approach tyre management. Extreme heat can cause the rubber and air inside the tyres to expand, increasing pressure. As a result, tyre wear can happen faster than normal, which will impact strategies. Different tyre usage, or more pit stops, are both possible this weekend.

Current driver standings

The Orange Army make sure it feels like a home race for Verstappen

Going into the Austrian Grand Prix, the top 10 of the Drivers Championship standings are:

Kimi Antonelli – 156 points

Lewis Hamilton – 115 points

George Russell – 106 points

Charles Leclerc – 76 points

Lando Norris – 73 points.

Oscar Piastri – 68 points.

Max Verstappen – 55 points

Pierre Gasly – 41 points

Isaac Hadjar – 34 points

Liam Lawson – 28 points

Max Verstappen’s aim will be to close the gap on the drivers ahead of him in the standings and to continue Oracle Red Bull Racing’s impressive history at the track.

Future races and what’s to come

This weekend’s action in Austria sets up the Formula One season for an exciting period, as the teams head to some iconic tracks in the coming weeks. Next, from July 2-5, the championship heads to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, with the Belgian GP taking place two weeks later. That’s before a trip to Hungary between July 23-26 and Verstappen’s personal home Grand Prix in the Netherlands after the summer break.

The second half of the season was when the Dutchman found his form last season, and he’ll be aiming to close the gap on his rivals before then, starting in Austria. There’s lots to look forward to this weekend, with the return of one of the most exciting events on the Formula One calendar.

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