THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX is here – and there’s the small matter of qualifying today at the Red Bull Ring.
Lewis Hamilton is now 18 points behind rival Max Verstappen but had a boost by securing victory in second practice.
- Qualifying: 2pm TODAY
- Race: 2pm Sunday
- TV/ live stream: Sky Sports F1
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
PEREZ ADDS TO RED BULL’S SUCCESS
It is shaping up to be a happy home race for the Red Bull team.
LANDO HOPE
The Brit was all smiles after taking P2 in Austria.
VERSTAPPEN STRIVING FOR PERFECTION
The Dutchman insists he had more in the tank.
HUGE EFFORT FROM NORRIS
His best ever qualifying.
VERSTAPPEN IS ON POLE
Norris is second. Perez in third.
Hamilton fourth and Bottas fifth.
WOW. THAT WAS CLOSE
Norris comes within a whisker of taking pole from Verstappen.
FINAL RUNS
Can Norris keep his second spot on the grid? Will Merc strike back?
VERSTAPPEN TAKES PROVISIONAL POLE
The crowds go wild, as the Red Bull man is top of the time sheets ahead of Norris.
That was a mega lap from Norris, who is ahead of Hamilton, Bottas and Perez. Huge.
Q3 IS GO – GREEN LIGHT IN THE PITLANE
It is Verstappen v Hamilton v Bottas v Perez.
And what can Russell do?
VETTEL BLOCK OF ALONSO IS UNDER INVESTIGATION
And rightly so, the Spaniard was blocked at the final corner.
RUSSELL GETS IN TO Q3
The Brit gets into the top 10 as Williams reach Q3 for the first time since 2018. Amazing stuff.
He was also on the slower medium tyres.
Eliminated: Giovinazzi, Alonso, Sainz, Ricciardo, Leclerc,
ALONSO’S FLYING LAP IS BLOCKED BY VETTEL
The Spaniard is furious with the German, as he weaves in front of his Alpine. Alonso is OUT.
FINAL TWO MINUTES
It is a busy track as drivers roll the dice for the final time to reach the top 10.
FINAL SIX MINUTES OF Q2
In the drop zone: Giovinazzi, Ricciardo, Alonso, Leclerc and Sainz.
This is going to be very, very close.
Q2 PEREZ IS FIRST OUT ON TRACK
The Red Bull man needs to find some extra time to keep up with Verstappen as the Merc duo are evenly matched.
MORE TO COME FROM FERRARI
Both drivers into Q2 but have to find more pace to challenge the big two teams.
RICCIARDO SCRAPES THROUGH
The Aussie only just makes the cut.
RUSSELL IN TO Q2
He is into the top 15 with another great effort as his teammate Latifi is out.
Also eliminated are Raikkonen, Ocon, Schumacher and Mazepin.
NORRIS IN P2
The McLaren man is looking quick again, however, his teammate Daniel Ricciardo is struggling. He is in ninth.
STONKING FIRST LAP FROM VERSTAPPEN
He goes quickest. Hamilton in second place. Bottas in third.
VERSTAPPEN COMES OUT ON TRACK
The grandstands erupt!
GREEN LIGHT – QUALIFYING IS GO
Austrian GP is open for business. The track is open.
ORANGE ARMY – SOME INCREDIBLE SIGHTS IN AUSTRIA
The Dutch fans are celebrating already! Verstappen is looking good here and they cannot wait to see him.
A bright burst of orange, smoke bombs, celebrations… Magnificent!
CHRISTIAN HORNER IS IN BULLISH MOOD
“Max is in great form and driving in a great way. He is at harmony with the car and hopefully we can keep this momentum going.”
HAMILTON AND WOLFF TALK CONTRACTS
The world champion and Merc boss chew the fat over their new partnership.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
