Austrian GP 2026: date, schedule, weather, UK start time and how to watch or stream the F1 race live at the Red Bull Ring on Sky Sports | F1 News

Formula 1’s European summer swing continues with the Austrian Grand Prix from June 26-28, live on Sky Sports.

After Lewis Hamilton’s first win for Ferrari, all eyes will be on the 41-year-old to see if he can rise into contention for a record eighth world championship.

Hamilton trails leader Kimi Antonelli by 41 points after the Italian retired in Barcelona due to a technical fault in his Mercedes, leaving the 19-year-old to face his first moment of major adversity since a fairytale start to the 2026 campaign.

George Russell also benefited from Antonelli’s retirement as he finished second behind Hamilton to come back within 50 points of his Mercedes team-mate.

While Mercedes and Ferrari may start the weekend as favourites, McLaren have shown signs of improvement in Spain and will be eyeing a first win of the season for either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastre.

Red Bull’s return to Austria for the team’s home race will provide another sub-plot, with Max Verstappen’s future still up in the air.

Red Bull Ring Track

The Red Bull Ring is the shortest of the year in terms of lap times, with Lando Norris taking last year’s pole position with a lap of 1:03 seconds.

Officially, the 2.7-mile track has 10 corners but only seven of them require the driver to brake. However, it is one of the best for overtaking with three consecutive DRS zones from the main to Turn 4.

There’s always action on the hill towards Turn 3, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton clashing on the last lap in 2016, Max Verstappen pushing Charles Leclerc in 2019 and Verstappen colliding with Norris in 2024.

The lap ends with two fast right-handers where track limits were previously an issue, but the gravel at the exit of those corners has limited the problem.

Spielberg’s weather for F1 races

Conditions are set to be extremely hot in Styria, with temperatures expected to hover around 30C over the weekend.

Early forecasts indicate that the heat may bring the risk of electrical storms, which is likely to add another layer of intrigue.

Austrian GP 2026 date, UK start time and live schedule on Sky Sports F1

Thursday 25 June
2pm: Drivers press conference
5pm: Paddock uncut

Friday 26 June
8.50am: Exercised F3
10am: F2 practice
12.00pm: Austrian GP Practice One (Session starts at 12.30pm)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.30pm: Team bosses press conference
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Austrian GP Practice Two (Session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 show

Saturday, June 27
9am: F3 sprint
11.15am: Austrian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying Build-up*
3pm: Austrian GP Qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s qualifying notebook

Sunday 28 June
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: F2 feature race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Austrian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: Austrian Grand Prix*
4pm: Austrian GP Reaction: Checkered flag
5pm: Ted’s Notebook

*Also on Sky Sports main events

How to watch or stream the Austrian Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland

Got the sky?

TV: Sky subscribers can watch Sky Sports F1 from the first practice session until Friday morning The Austrian Grand Prix itself is on Sunday 28 June at 2pm

App: Sky subscribers can also watch The Sky Sports app – Option to ship with any driver!

Didn’t get the sky?

flow: Non-Sky customers can Stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime month pass

Live Blog: Anyone running can follow live coverage of the race weekend via our dedicated F1 blog

Free Highlights: Watch F1 highlights right after the checkered flag in the Sky Sports app

How to watch the Austrian GP with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports subscribers can:

1. Download or open the Sky Sports app
2. Head to the ‘watch’ section at 12.30pm for the build-up, before lights out at 2pm on raceday.
3. Tap on the Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event channel
4. Sign in with your Sky ID (*You only need to do this once)

*Sky ID Help: How to find or create your Sky ID

what now

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It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel at any time!

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More information about Now can be found here.

Formula 1’s European season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime