Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
Lando Norris fastest in final practice
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Q1 goes green!
Will one of the McLaren drivers grab pole or will Max Verstappen make it six consecutive poles here at the Red Bull Ring?
There could even be a wild card…
It's going to be a tight fight for pole.
Ben Edwards
F1 commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Max Verstappen is looking for his sixth ever pole position at this Red Bull Ring. And it would be consecutive because he's been on pole here since 2021. Is he going to be able to do it? I think it's going to be a tough battle with McLaren.
It's a long time since McLaren have had a pole here. Although they've had plenty in the past, you've actually got to go back to the year 2000 [Mika Hakkinen], so 25 years since McLaren had an Austrian pole positon.
Alice Powell
British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
I think we could see come early casualties from this qualifying session in terms of potentially losing out due to track position, getting held up, incidents. It's going to be a tricky session.
Rosanna Tennant
5 Live F1 reporter at Red Bull Ring
It's really warmed up since the end of FP3, in terms of air temperature. It is now 26C, it was 24C at the end of FP3. Two degrees doesn't feel like much but actually when the sun comes out here, it is spicy hot, you can really feel it. The drivers will feel it, the tyres will feel it. A big challenge coming the F1 drivers way.
Ian Fergusson
BBC weather forecaster
Air temp 27 degrees and the track 45.5 degrees. Light and variable wind, mostly easterly, with gusts to 20mph in exposed parts of the circuit in the past hour. Dry and fine; FIA official risk of rain is 0%.
Qualifying is pushed back after the F2 race was delayed earlier this afternoon.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Say hello to Rosanna Tennant, Ben Edwards, British racing driver Alice Powell and F1 correspondent Andrew Benson who will be joining us for the radio commentary.
Commentary is available via the 'listen live' tab at the top of this page. You can also listen on BBC Sounds or by asking your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
The Max Verstappen fans are back in full force as the grandstands are a sea of orange.
There are several Mercedes fans about though with some creative posters of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
I have a feeling this will be a fantastic qualifying for the fans!
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, ReutersTalking about Max Verstappen and Mercedes, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson has broken down the full story here.
It has come to light after George Russell said in the build-up to the Austrian Grand Prix that Mercedes were in talks with Verstappen about potentially signing him for next season.
Rosanna and the team look ahead to this weekend’s race in Austria.
Rosanna Tennant, Ben Edwards, Alice Powell and Andrew Benson discuss all things McLaren and how both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are handling the fight for the drivers’ championship.
Plus, they also talk about if Max Verstappen would go to Mercedes after it emerged that the team were speaking to the four-team champion.
Take a listen on BBC Sounds here.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Red Bull Ring is one of the shortest and fastest circuits on the calendar, with a length of 4.318km and a fastest lap in a race of one minute 5.619 seconds, set by Carlos Sainz in a Ferrari in 2020. Max Verstappen took pole last year with a time of 1:04.314.
The picturesque circuit only has 10 corners (the fewest on the calendar) and three DRS zones.
Image source, Getty ImagesGeorge Russell will be coming off the back of a stunning pole and win last time out at the Canadian Grand Prix.
It was Mercedes’ best performance of the year and they will be hoping to carry on the momentum.
He finished final practice in sixth earlier today, but let's see if he can pull off a back-to-back pole.
Image source, Getty ImagesRed Bull’s Max Verstappen has five consecutive pole positions and it’s only fitting with it being round the Red Bull Ring.
Last year the Dutchman kept setting provisional pole through the last session and eventually set a time of 1:04.314.
The four-time world champion grabbed pole in Miami last month but will be eager to get another under his belt. He currently sits third in the drivers’ championship with 155 points.
He has won the Austrian Grand Prix four times, so far, in his career, finishing at the top of the podium in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was another one-two for McLaren in practice three. Lando Norris finished at the top with Oscar Piastri second, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in third.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in fourth and fifth respectively. The team have a redesigned floor with them for Austria to try to improve their performance.
Norris' weekend has been positive so far and will be looking to grab his third pole of the season. He currently trails Piastri by 22 points in the drivers' championship.
Image source, Getty ImagesGood afternoon everyone and welcome back to our live-text coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix. The idyllic landscape gets more beautiful every year, and it's been a mixture of cloud and sun at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
It was a complete replica top-three finish for practice two and three, with Lando Norris topping the timesheets, his team-mate Oscar Piastri in second and Max Verstappen in third.
The opening session of qualifying gets under way at 15:00 BST.
Commentary is available via the 'listen live' tab at the top of this page. You can also listen on BBC Sounds or by asking your smart speaker to play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesLando Norris led team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri to a McLaren one-two in final practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points in their championship fight, continued his strong form from Friday and ended the final session before qualifying 0.118 seconds quicker the Australian.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third fastest, 0.210secs off Norris, having a rare spin out of the last corner late in the session without damaging the car.
The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth, an encouraging outing given they have an entirely new floor in an attempt to improve their performance.
Mercedes’ George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were sixth and seventh, ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, who also spun his car, and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto.
Norris, on a weekend where he really needs to beat Piastri to prevent his championship lead ballooning to more than a race win, has looked the stronger McLaren driver from the start of practice.
But it is the final part of qualifying where Norris has been underperforming, often making mistakes that have prevented him achieving his best potential.
McLaren have upgrades to their front wing and front suspension this weekend, and Norris is continuing with the small front geometry change he used for the first time in the last race in Canada, which is aimed at giving him the feel he has been lacking from the front axle this year, and which he says has been at the root of his errors.
Time for us to take a little break.
Go grab some lunch, get some fresh air and join us again for qualifying.
Lights out at 15:00 BST
See you then!
Lando Norris leads a McLaren 1-2 in third practice, his team-mate Oscar Piastri was just a tenth of a second behind him.
Behind the papaya duo is Max Verstappen, who loves this track.
It will be an interesting line-up to have both McLarens in the front row for Sunday's race - they are both free to race for the championship, Piastri said in Thursday's press conference.
Max Verstappen will also want to perform for the many fans that are out at the Red Bull Ring.
11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
13. Alex Albon (Williams)
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
15. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
16. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
17. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
18. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
19. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
20. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
Alice Powell
British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
The McLarens are looking very strong. I think we've got an exciting battle on our hands between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen in qualifying. Those three looking particularly strong.
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lando Norris  McLaren | 4 | 1:04.324 | 21 |
2 | Oscar Piastri  McLaren | 81 | 1:04.442 | 20 |
3 | Max Verstappen  Red Bull | 1 | 1:04.534 | 28 |
4 | Charles Leclerc  Ferrari | 16 | 1:04.574 | 20 |
5 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:04.790 | 23 |
6 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:05.018 | 18 |
7 | Kimi Antonelli  Mercedes | 12 | 1:05.053 | 18 |
8 | Lance Stroll  Aston Martin | 18 | 1:05.062 | 20 |
9 | Yuki Tsunoda  Red Bull | 22 | 1:05.139 | 17 |
10 | Gabriel Bortoleto  Sauber | 5 | 1:05.182 | 18 |
11 | Liam Lawson  RB | 30 | 1:05.182 | 19 |
12 | Fernando Alonso  Aston Martin | 14 | 1:05.243 | 21 |
13 | Nico Hulkenberg  Sauber | 27 | 1:05.283 | 18 |
14 | Alexander Albon  Williams | 23 | 1:05.314 | 22 |
15 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:05.326 | 21 |
16 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:05.366 | 21 |
17 | Pierre Gasly  Alpine | 10 | 1:05.366 | 26 |
18 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:05.519 | 21 |
19 | Franco Colapinto  Alpine | 43 | 1:05.546 | 26 |
20 | Isack Hadjar RB | 6 | 1:06.023 | 18 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | 1:04.580 | 35 |
2 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:04.737 | 35 |
3 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | 1:04.898 | 24 |
4 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:05.022 | 32 |
5 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:05.190 | 32 |
6 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:05.229 | 34 |
7 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 1:05.292 | 31 |
8 | Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber | 5 | 1:05.411 | 31 |
9 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:05.457 | 31 |
10 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:05.511 | 34 |
11 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:05.537 | 35 |
12 | Liam Lawson RB | 30 | 1:05.543 | 31 |
13 | Isack Hadjar RB | 6 | 1:05.547 | 34 |
14 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:05.613 | 36 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:05.698 | 31 |
16 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:05.765 | 37 |
17 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:05.814 | 37 |
18 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:05.835 | 35 |
19 | Nico Hulkenberg Sauber | 27 | 1:05.918 | 35 |
20 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:06.176 | 34 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:05.542 | 34 |
2 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | 1:05.607 | 30 |
3 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:05.697 | 33 |
4 | Alexander Dunne  McLaren | 89 | 1:05.766 | 29 |
5 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:05.780 | 34 |
6 | Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber | 5 | 1:05.874 | 35 |
7 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:05.946 | 35 |
8 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:06.017 | 33 |
9 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:06.099 | 20 |
10 | Isack Hadjar RB | 6 | 1:06.110 | 33 |
11 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:06.130 | 35 |
12 | Nico Hulkenberg Sauber | 27 | 1:06.140 | 32 |
13 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:06.160 | 32 |
14 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:06.170 | 32 |
15 | Liam Lawson RB | 30 | 1:06.189 | 34 |
16 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:06.246 | 34 |
17 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 1:06.262 | 30 |
18 | Dino Beganovic  Ferrari | 38 | 1:06.369 | 32 |
19 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:06.510 | 32 |
20 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:06.738 | 30 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 3 | Qualifying 3 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | fastest lap 1:06.015 | fastest lap 1:06.015 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, fastest lap 1:06.015 |
2 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
3 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
4 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
5 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
6 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
7 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
8 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
9 | Nico Hulkenberg Sauber | 27 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
10 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
11 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
12 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
13 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
14 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
15 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
16 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
17 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
18 | Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber | 5 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
19 | Liam Lawson RB | 30 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
20 | Isack Hadjar RB | 6 | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, not available |
