F1 Austrian GP Live Commentary and Updates – Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen starts on pole position, fresh from victory in the Austrian sprint race on Saturday. The Dutch driver dominated the sprint after seeing off Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in a heated opening-lap battle.
Verstappen leads the F1 drivers’ standings by 70 points from Perez going into the Austrian GP, with the Mexican facing a tough task starting the grand prix down in 15th place.
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As we return to the grid, Hulkenberg, in P8, is the only driver on used medium tyres. The rest have fitted fresh mediums.
Verstappen heads the car snake to the grid, with Magnussen and de Vries ready to blast off from the pitlane. Here we go...
The drivers all get away for the formation lap without a fuss.
Are you sitting comfortably? Let's begin.
Tyres: Alonso (P7), Bottas (P14) and Magnussen (pitlane) starting on hards, the rest are starting on mediums.
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Sun
The weather geeks predict a 30% risk of rain for the race.
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Why are there so many Blackpool FC fans in the grandstands?
Dutch fans fill the grandstand with orange
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
The Styrian anthem and Austrian national anthem follows, played by a full orchestra, choir and a pair of leading singers. Full factory.
A minute's silence is held on the grid to pay tribute to Dilano van 't Hoff who sadly lost his life in a FRECA crash at Spa yesterday.
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We've had our first crash of the afternoon...
A small bit of housekeeping: Magnussen and de Vries will start the race from the pitlane after breaking parc ferme rules to make car changes. But given both were due to start from the back row of the grid, it doesn't change a great deal.
A handshake on the grid between Horner and Vasseur. Let's have a good, clean fight gentleman.
Nobody has even seen what first place looks like since midway through the Miami GP in May - Verstappen has led every racing lap in that period. Can anyone stop him this afternoon? It is a tall order, but don't rule out the Ferraris: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-ferrari-has-glimmers-of-hope-to-be-racing-red-bull-in-the-austrian-gp/10490395/
While Verstappen had words with Perez after the sprint race, he wasn't the only one the Dutchman had a tete-a-tete with. It went under the radar, but Verstappen vs Hamilton took its latest twist in sprint quali. Here's what went down: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-verstappen-hamilton-werent-investigated-over-revenge-foul-f1-clash/10490280/
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The drivers have made their way to the grid so the anticipation and tension is bubbling up nicely at the Red Bull Ring. Mind you, not quite as ferocious as what is currently going on at Lord's in the Ashes.
The super Saturday sprint-a-thon saw some tasty action between Verstappen and Perez on the opening lap, but for that to happen again today something major needs to unfold. Verstappen starts on pole while Perez starts 15th.
Green flag
Good afternoon everyone! Who is ready for the Austrian headline act? The Austrian GP starts in a little under 45 minutes.
By: Autosport Staff
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