Formula 1 heads into Saturday at the Austrian Grand Prix with Kimi Antonelli back on top after a perfect Friday at the Red Bull Ring.
The Mercedes championship leader topped both practice sessions in extreme heat, beating McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in FP2. Reliability issues also shaped the opening day, with Sergio Perez stopping due to an overheating Cadillac and others reporting problems in the hot conditions.
Saturday brings final practice and qualifying on one of the shortest laps of the season, where small gaps, traffic and track limits can quickly decide the grid. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s running at the Austrian GP.
How can I watch the F1 Austrian GP?
Broadcast coverage of Formula 1 varies by region. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports continues as the championship’s exclusive broadcaster, showing every session live throughout the 2026 season. F1 coverage can also be streamed via Sky Go or NOW, with highlights available free-to-air on Channel 4.
In the United States, Apple TV is broadcasting the entire Austrian GP weekend—and grand prix—free for viewers in the U.S. as a one-race promotion.
Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season, with all sessions available on the platform following a multi-year deal. F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service.
Motorsport.com will provide live coverage and updates throughout the Austrian GP weekend.
F1 Austrian GP Saturday schedule
Times local to Austria:
Saturday, June 27 — free practice 3 — 12:30pm CEST
Saturday, June 27 — qualifying — 4:00pm CEST
For UK viewers:
Saturday, June 27 — free practice 3 — 11:30am BST
Saturday, June 27 — qualifying — 3:00pm BST
For US Eastern Time viewers:
Saturday, June 27 — free practice 3 — 6:30am ET
Saturday, June 27 — qualifying — 10:00am ET
F1 Austrian GP full weekend schedule
All times local to Austria:
- Friday, June 26 — free practice 1 — 1:30pm CEST
- Friday, June 26 — free practice 2 — 5:00pm CEST
- Saturday, June 27 — free practice 3 — 12:30pm CEST
- Saturday, June 27 — qualifying — 4:00pm CEST
- Sunday, June 28 — 2026 Austrian Grand Prix — 3:00pm CEST
Austrian GP Saturday weather forecast
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images
Saturday is expected to be even hotter at the Red Bull Ring, with dry and sunny conditions for final practice and qualifying.
With the FIA declaring a Heat Hazard for the weekend, teams will have to manage the conditions carefully as track temperatures rise. The heat could make tyre preparation more difficult, while traffic may also become a factor on one of the shortest laps of the season.
Sunday is forecast to stay hot and dry for the grand prix, so cooling, tyre life and driver management will remain crucial throughout the weekend.
Austrian GP track facts
* Circuit: Red Bull Ring
* Location: Austria
* Event: Austrian GP
* Circuit type: permanent road course
* Friday sessions: free practice 1 and free practice 2
* Saturday sessions: free practice 3 and grand prix qualifying
* Race: Sunday, June 28
* The Red Bull Ring is a short, fast Formula 1 lap, with long straights, heavy braking zones and a final sector where traffic and track limits can quickly become important.
2026 Formula 1 driver and team roster
Photos from Austrian GP – Friday
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Team
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: motorsport.com
