Watch Austrian Grand Prix — Practice 1 Free.

What's at Stake

As the 2026 season reaches its midpoint, the session at the Red Bull Ring serves as a critical evaluation point for the latest aerodynamic upgrades. With the championship standings tightening, teams must maximize this hour of track time to refine high-altitude engine mapping and stability for the circuit's aggressive elevation changes.

Form Guide

Heading into Spielberg, the front-runners have shown varying levels of consistency across recent European rounds. While some teams have excelled on high-speed permanent tracks, others have struggled with tire degradation, making this opening session vital for establishing a baseline performance on one of the shortest laps of the year.

Key Players to Watch

• Max Verstappen — The local favorite often dominates at this circuit and will look to establish an immediate pace advantage.
• Lewis Hamilton — His experience with the technical demands of the Remus and Schlossgold corners remains a vital asset for his team's data collection.
• Oscar Piastri — Having shown strong qualifying pace recently, his ability to find the limit on short circuits makes him a threat for the top of the timing sheets.

Prediction

Expect the session to be led by the home favorites, Red Bull Racing, as they typically arrive with a refined setup for their own track. The top three will likely be separated by less than two-tenths of a second, with Ferrari and McLaren closely trailing the lead pace as they focus on long-run simulations.