F1 2026: Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying Recap

George Russell pips Leclerc for pole in Austria

George Russell has taken pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix 2026 after edging out the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in an eventful qualifying session. With most of the cars bringing upgrades to Austria, it was Mercedes being challenged by the likes of Ferrari and McLaren and the pace upgrade was on show as four teams were in the mix for pole. A late crash from Verstappen ended qualifying early with Leclerc being edged out by Russell that gives Russell a much needed pole position after a couple of tough weekends for the Mercedes driver.

If you missed the Austrian Grand Prix 2026 qualifying session, here’s a quick recap. 

Q1 – Williams continue to struggle, McLarens, Ferrari impress early on

The qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring got going with the Williams, Aston Martins and Cadillacs on the track early on. Mercedes sent George Russell early on for a run on a track with less traffic. Russell set the time to beat for the field with a 1:07.811s  but he was quickly dislodged from the top as McLaren’s Lando Norris went quicker with a 1:07.259s with Lewis Hamilton putting a strong opening lap, and going with a 1:07.290s. 

Kimi Antonelli once again put Mercedes at the top with a flying 1:07.083s and that remained the quickest time for the session. As the session drew to an end, the likes of Lando Norris, Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc opted out of making a final run as they were confident with their early times while they were the usual suspects in the drop zone as the Aston Martins, Williams and Cadillacs struggled. As the chequered flag fell, it was the duos of Williams, Cadillacs and Aston Martin missing out on Q2 with Lance Stroll once again being the slowest car in Q1.

Drivers eliminated in Q1:

Carlos Sainz
Alexander Albon
Sergio Pérez
Valtteri Bottas
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll

Q2 – Verstappen scrapes through while Alpine struggle with double exit in Q2

The Q2 got going and it was Lando Norris on the track first with the reigning world champion setting the benchmark with a strong 1:07.321s which was the quickest time for the early part of the session. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc dislodged Norris from the top spot with a 1:07.030s and Hamilton came inches close as he was 0.009s slower and slotted in second place. 

The fastest time kept falling as Antonelli once again went quickest, this time with a 1:06.763s while Piastri put in a strong lap to move to second place. George Russell remained the only driver without a time after the first runs and with six minutes to go as he had aborted his first lap. As the clock ticked down, Russell put himself in the top four to secure a top 10 shootout spot but it was Verstappen struggling along with the Audis, Haas and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly. Those who failed to make it out from Q2 to Q3 was the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, Haas of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon and the Audis of Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.

Drivers eliminated in Q2:

Pierre Gasly
Gabriel Bortoleto
Oliver Bearman
Nico Hülkenberg
Esteban Ocon
Franco Colapinto

Q3 – Russell takes pole as Verstappen crashes

After barely making Q3, Verstappen set the time to beat for the grid in Q3 with a 1:06.475s, going well clear of Norris’ early time of 1:06.900s. Piastri went two-tenths behind Verstappen while Leclerc also couldn’t match the Red Bull driver’s opening time. Kimi Antonelli took provisional pole with a 1:06.414s, going 0.043s quicker than his teammate George Russell after the first runs came to an end while Hamilton was the only one out of the ten without a time, having aborted his first run after going too deep at Turn 3.

With under five minutes to go, Hamilton’s first run saw him go fastest by 0.006s as he took provisional pole momentarily. Leclerc went even quicker before Russell went quickest with 1:06.113s but it was Verstappen crashing with a minute to go which ended the session as the Dutchman found himself in the barriers. The crash marked the end of session which meant Russell kept his pole position from Leclerc. 

Starting grid for the Austrian Grand Prix 2026 (before penalties applied)

1. George Russell
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Lewis Hamilton
4. Kimi Antonelli
5. Max Verstappen
6. Lando Norris
7. Oscar Piastri
8. Isack Hadjar
9. Liam Lawson
10. Arvid Lindblad
11. Pierre Gasly
12. Gabriel Bortoleto
13. Oliver Bearman
14. Nico Hülkenberg
15. Esteban Ocon
16. Franco Colapinto
17. Carlos Sainz
18. Alexander Albon
19. Sergio Pérez
20. Valtteri Bottas
21. Fernando Alonso
22.Lance Stroll