F1 2026: Austrian Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

Formula One action is back this weekend as racing moves to Red Bull’s home in Austria after a two-week gap.

Fresh off Lewis Hamilton’s first-ever win for Ferrari, the 2026 F1 season has heated up, as we now have a non-Mercedes winner as well as a new name in the title fight.

Racing moves to the Styrian hills at the home of Red Bull, and for the 2026 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix here we present our preview and predictions.

An old warhorse entering the title fight?

The Barcelona-Catalunya race saw Lewis Hamilton not only return to the top step of the podium after nearly a two-year gap, but also pick up his first win with Ferrari and become the first non-Mercedes race winner of the season after seven rounds.

Hamilton’s win sees Ferrari gain some momentum and deliver on the promise they have shown for a while. It was a near-perfect weekend on the Hamilton end of the garage; the pit crew performed perfectly, and the strategists were in sync with Hamilton’s sublime drive. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, had to retire due to technical issues, enduring a weekend to forget. The Monégasque also showed strong, promising race pace and was running for a strong finish before his steering wheel gave up.

Ferrari are now 72 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings, with Hamilton 41 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ standings. Mercedes know they have a title challenge on their hands, and it is being led by someone who knows them very well and has all the experience in taking a title fight deep into the season. What will also play into Hamilton’s hands is the fact that George Russell and Antonelli are looking like they’re in a season-long intra-team battle.

Hamilton’s win has also arrived at the perfect time, as we have four races over the coming five weekends, which means it’s the ideal time to gain momentum and make a push for the title. After picking up their first win of the season in Spain, expect Hamilton and Ferrari to come to Austria with something extra in their step as they look to take the fight to Mercedes.

Pole prediction: George Russell / Kimi Antonelli
Race winners prediction: Mercedes / Ferrari

Russell’s reply

While Hamilton and Ferrari come into the race weekend high on confidence, there is one driver in the title fight who has endured a couple of rough weekends of late. Two retirements for Russell in the last three races mean that, after leading the championship post China, the 28-year-old is now third in the Drivers’ standings.

Russell has been overtaken by Kimi Antonelli, who is 50 points clear of him. The senior Mercedes driver is under the threat of becoming second fiddle at the team. With Hamilton also in the mix, Mercedes need both their drivers in the fight.

Russell has seemingly been taken aback by Antonelli’s form this season and is struggling to keep up with him. The 19-year-old has won an incredible five out of the seven races held this season so far, while Russell’s only win this season arrived at the season opener in Australia. Russell has continued to impress in qualifying, living up to his “Mr Saturday” moniker, but he needs to step up on Sundays as well, and he needs to do it now before Antonelli or Hamilton run away with the title.

A two-week break would’ve done Russell some good, allowing him to reset himself. And while he was unable to convert his pole in Spain to a win, he should bounce back in Austria with a strong weekend. This is where Mercedes’ last win came back in 2024, when it was Russell on the top step of the podium. The Red Bull Ring will favour Mercedes on the long straights as they look to get back to winning ways.

The Bulls on the charge 

While the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari have been picking up the podiums and wins at the front of the field, one team who are quietly scoring points week in, week out have been Racing Bulls. They are now on a two-race double-points-scoring streak and in the fight for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship as well, currently being 16 points behind Alpine.

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have been making sure at least one VCARB 03 starts in the top ten. Not only have both utilised the strong race pace of the Racing Bulls machinery this year, they’ve also put in measured drives.

On a track where they have picked up points consistently over the last couple of editions, expect another strong show from the sister Red Bull outfit.

F1 Austrian Grand Prix 2026: Race details

Circuit: Red Bull Ring
Venue: Spielberg, Styria, Austria
Practice Session 1 time: 17:00 IST, June 26, 2026
Practice Session 2 time: 20:30 IST, June 26, 2026
Practice Session 3 time: 16:00 IST, June 27, 2026
Qualifying time: 19:30 IST, June 27, 2026
Main race time: 18:30 IST, June 28, 2026
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode