F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen to see stewards after claiming pole in qualifying
Max Verstappen’s crushing dominance of Formula One continued at the Austrian Grand Prix after he put his Red Bull on pole position.
The world champion, a winner at six of the first eight races, saw off his rivals at the Red Bull Ring to seal his fourth pole on the spin for Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc provided Verstappen with a late scare, but the Monegasque had to settle for second place, crossing the line 0.048 seconds shy of the Dutchman.
Carlos Sainz took third in the other scarlet car, while Lando Norris impressed in his revamped McLaren to take fourth spot. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, 0.428 sec adrift. Sergio Perez’s torrid time continued after all three of his laps in Q2 were deleted for track limits. He lines up a lowly 15th on Sunday.
Follow live updates from the Austrian GP with The Independent...
F1 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING
Max Verstappen on pole for the Austrian Grand Prix; Leclerc 2nd; Sainz 3rd
Click HERE for the full starting grid for Sunday’s grand prix
George Russell and Sergio Perez out in Q2, also out: Ocon, Bottas, Piastri
Yuki Tsunoda out in Q1, also out: Zhou, Sargeant, Magnussen, De Vries
Max Verstappen quickest in first practice; Sainz 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
AUSTRIAN GP PREVIEW: Lewis Hamilton dismisses cost cap penalty as supreme Red Bull return to Austria
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Max Verstappen summoned to the stewards for impeding Kevin Magnussen
19:08 , Mike Jones
Why has Verstappen been called to the stewards?
Because he allegedly impeding Kevin Magnussen during qualifying. Tha was in Q1 when the Haas driver made an exit during that first segment.
BREAKING - Max Verstappen summoned to the stewards for impeding Kevin Magnussen
19:00 , Kieran Jackson
Well, well, well.
The pole-sitter will see the stewards at 7pm (BST).
Max Verstappen claims another pole but Sergio Perez struggles again at Austrian Grand Prix
18:42 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying report:
Max Verstappen’s crushing dominance of Formula One continued at the Austrian Grand Prix after he put his Red Bull on pole position.
The world champion, a winner at six of the first eight races, saw off his rivals at the Red Bull Ring to seal his fourth pole on the spin for Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc provided Verstappen with a late scare, but the Monegasque had to settle for second place, crossing the line 0.048 seconds shy of the Dutchman.
Verstappen claims another pole but Perez struggles again in qualifying in Austria
Lewis Hamilton, after finishing P5:
18:19 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s not P1! I’ll take it and try and work with it.
“Our racepace was possibly third-fastest. Maybe fourth. We’ll just try and focus on getting around as quick as we can. Very difficult session - our car has in the past has never really suited this circuit.”
George Russell, after only managing 11th:
18:03 , Kieran Jackson
“Just not quick enough today. Haven’t got the right feel with the car. P11 is not the best starting position. All is not lost. Looking like a two-stop race.
“Need to understand what’s going on at the moment, because struggling a lot on Saturdays.”
"Need to understand what's going on at the moment" 🤷♂️
George Russell reflects on a tough qualifying session in Austria 👇 pic.twitter.com/R6EWMfUmnl— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
17:54 , Kieran Jackson
“He’s got the pace today. A car easily capable of being on the first or second row. Stay in the white lines. Strike one, strike two, strike three and that was it. Hugely frustrating because he could have done it. Fantastic we got the pole but it feels not complete.
“Driving with restraint. It’s hugely frustrating because we know he can do it - he was three-hundredths off Max. Q2 is not the time to be doing it. It is the same for everybody.”
“We’ll turn the page, annoying because we know he could have been there. Today he was right there. He can do it, it’s a great shame because this would’ve kickstarted things for him. Now we have two Ferraris vs one Red Bull, with Checo out of position.”
“Any talk of replacing Checo is wide of the mark. Daniel is going to be testing at Silverstone, will be great to see where he wants.”
"Any talk about replacing Checo is wide of the mark!" ❌
"There's no plan to replace Nyck de Vries at the moment" ❌
Christian Horner shuts down any ideas that Sergio Perez or Nyck de Vries could be replaced this season 👇 pic.twitter.com/HhKYrDMjjr— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
FULL QUALIFYING RESULTS!
17:44 , Kieran Jackson
QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION
So tight at the top! 🤏#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/BYQnkoJihq— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2023
Lando Norris after finishing P4:
17:36 , Kieran Jackson
“A very good day, from start to finish. The guys did a very good job, big thanks to them. P4, I’m complaining as I could have been P3 made a little mistake.”
TOP-10 FOR AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!
17:25 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) Charles Leclerc
3) Carlos Sainz
4) Lando Norris
5) Lewis Hamilton
6) Lance Stroll
7) Fernando Alonso
8) Nico Hulkenberg
9) Pierre Gasly
10) Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz after taking P3:
17:24 , Kieran Jackson
“Definitely feel closer to Max. Much better qualifying as a team. We’ve got a long weekend ahead of us. We need to stay focused.”
Charles Leclerc after P2 in qualifying:
17:19 , Kieran Jackson
“We didn’t expect to be so close to the Red Bulls, we had a good performance today and we need to convert that into the race on Sunday.
“Everybody is so close, it was very tricky. It was about putting everything together, race-pace was quite good in Montreal. Consistency is where we need to focus.”
"It feels good to finally have a clean qualifying again"
Charles Leclerc reacts are finishing 2nd in qualifying 💭 pic.twitter.com/dPQZNSXbVZ— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Max Verstappen after sealing pole:
17:14 , Kieran Jackson
“Very difficult because of all the track limits. It’s so hard to judge the white line, it was about surviving. It takes out the joy a little bit but very happy being on pole but still a very long weekend again!
“The cars are big and heavy, to judge it on a line at this speed is incredibly hard. Very happy with today.”
Max Verstappen on pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix!
17:09 , Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull of Max Verstappen only just beats Charles Leclerc by 0.048 seconds! Very tight! Verstappen went quicker too... and he had to go quicker!
Carlos Sainz third, 0.190 secs back, with Lando Norris in fourth for McLaren and Lewis Hamilton fifth!
6-10: Stroll, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Albon
The end to qualifying 🥵 pic.twitter.com/AGim1AW9Sr
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Alex Albon goes sixth-fastest but gets his lap time deleted!
17:05 , Kieran Jackson
Williams give Alex Albon the entire track to himself to go sixth fastest... but his time is deleted once again for exceeding track limits!
How many of these have we seen? Testing the drivers’ patience... and mine!
2:30 to go... as every other driver now takes to the track for their second flying runs!
Lewis Hamilton only fifth-fastest
17:02 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes goes fifth, behind the McLaren of Lando Norris!
Hamilton 0.558 secs behind Verstappen on provisional pole.
Top-10 so far: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Hamilton, Alonso, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg, Stroll
Five minutes to go!
Max Verstappen fastest in the first set of flying laps!
17:00 , Kieran Jackson
WIth a 1:04:503, Max Verstappen is top - two-tenths quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second.
3-8: Sainz, Norris, Alonso, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg
Lance Stroll and Lewis Hamilton yet to set a time...
Q3 underway!
16:55 , Kieran Jackson
Now time for the top-10 shootout!
Who will be on pole for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix? Twelve minutes to find out!
The 10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Albon, Gasly, Norris
George Russell is out of qualifying!
16:49 , Kieran Jackson
And so is Sergio Perez... with ANOTHER lap time deleted! A NIGHTMARE for the Red Bull driver!
Perez 15th, Russell 11th!
Out in Q2, 11-15: Russell, Ocon, Bottas, Piastri, Perez
Alex Albon sneaks through in 10th; Verstappen, Sainz, Norris the top-three!
Wow!
Sergio Perez now last in 15th with ANOTHER lap time deleted!
16:45 , Kieran Jackson
The Mexican will only have one more chance to get through to Q3 - he goes over the white line at turn 9!
George Russell is not safe, either, in P10.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ocon, Stroll, Piastri, Bottas, Perez
Two minutes left. Perez has not made Q3 in the last three races - he needs a top-10 banker here...
Max Verstappen not happy!
16:41 , Kieran Jackson
“This is a joke honestly with these track limits!” Verstappen says over team radio.
He has gone top, though, with a 1:04:951, with Sainz 2nd and Norris 3rd.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Piastri, Leclerc, Bottas, Russell, Albon (no time)
Six minutes left...
Max Verstappen has a lap time deleted!
16:38 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen did go top but went over the white line at turn 10! And so has his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, at turn 9!
Lando Norris at the top at the moment, with Nico Hulkenberg in second and Fernando Alonso third.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Stroll, Gasly, Ocon, Bottas, Albon
Lewis Hamilton P5 early on; George Russell only eighth.
Q2 underway!
16:35 , Kieran Jackson
Who will make the top-10 shootout?!
15 minutes this second qualifying session...
Yuki Tsunoda is out in Q1!
16:27 , Kieran Jackson
The Japanese driver misses out by 0.021 seconds to a fortunate Valtteri Bottas in 15th! George Russell was in trouble too, but escapes late on in P11.
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Tsunoda, Zhou, Sargeant, Magnussen, De Vries
Top-3: Verstappen, Perez, Sainz
Sergio Perez teetering on the edge...
16:23 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez is only 13th heading into the last two minutes of the session!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Hulkenberg, Albon, Ocon, Sargeant, De Vries
Esteban Ocon keeps getting lap times deleted!
Max Verstappen quickest again in Q1
16:19 , Kieran Jackson
This one looks to have count from the Dutchman - he’s fastest with a 1:05:116; Sainz 2nd; Leclerc 3rd.
That doesn’t matter so much now, though. Current bottom-five (16-20): Stroll, Ocon, Sargeant, De Vries, Hulkenberg
George Russell only P9 for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton P6.
Five minutes to go...
Lewis Hamilton also has his lap time deleted
16:15 , Kieran Jackson
More drivers getting punished by race control!
Hamilton now into the bottom-five...
10 minutes to go!
Q1 back underway!
16:13 , Kieran Jackson
Both Mercedes cars out at the end of the pit lane to restart Q1.
It’s getting murky out in Spielberg too, dark clouds forming...
Q1 will resume in two minutes
16:11 , Kieran Jackson
A short delay; we’ll be back underway in a few minutes.
And Max Verstappen’s chart-topping time has been deleted for exceeding track limits!
He goes from P1 to P17!
Valtteri Bottas does get his car moving!
16:10 , Kieran Jackson
The Finn stays alive in qualifying as he finally manages to get his car moving!
Red flag was thrown though, so session stops tempoarily... we should be back underway in no time though!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Hulkenberg, Sainz, Norris, Bottas (no time), Ocon (no time)
11:49 left in the session...
RED FLAG!
16:08 , Kieran Jackson
Valtteri Bottas spins coming out of turn 1 and can’t restart his Alfa Romeo, which is facing the wrong way just on the side of the track!
He can’t restart the car... and the red flag is thrown!
RED FLAG! 🚩
Valtteri Bottas spins and brings out the red flag! 😮 pic.twitter.com/6hKfa1mPIT— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Track limits vital at the Red Bull Ring!
16:07 , Kieran Jackson
Nico Hulkenberg and Lando Norris have already had lap times deleted for exceeding track limits - you feel they won’t be the last either! The final turn, turn 10, usually susceptible to pushing the boundaries.
Early on, Max Verstappen quickest with a 1:05:190, while Oscar Piastri is second and Sergio Perez third.
All 20 cars haven’t yet completed a lap...
Lando Norris finished 20th in FP1..
16:05 , Kieran Jackson
"There was some damage at the bottom of Lando's car" 😩
Ted gives an update on what happened to Lando Norris during P1 👇 pic.twitter.com/LFfJtOh26h— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Q1 is underway in Austria!
16:03 , Kieran Jackson
16 of the 20 cars straight out on track as we get underway with Q1; the first 18 minute quali session.
A reminder: we’ll lose the slowest five cars five from qualifying after this session...
F1 qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix!
15:57 , Kieran Jackson
We’re just a few minutes from qualifying in Spielberg!
There’s rain in the air - but none affecting the track right now - as we get going and decide the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.
Max Verstappen looked in formidable form in FP1, can anyone get near him?
Lewis Hamilton dismisses cost cap penalty as supreme Red Bull return to Austria
15:54 , Kieran Jackson
Austrian Grand Prix preview
For all the success garnered over the last two years, an asterisk has accompanied the Red Bull route to Formula 1 domination. In 2021, Max Verstappen’s dramatic title triumph was shrouded in controversy after the Abu Dhabi fiasco. Last year, their mightily impressive double-title glory was overshadowed by breaching the inaugural F1 cost cap.
This season, entering race nine back at their Red Bull Ring base this weekend with Verstappen holding a 69-point lead in the championship – and even that is from his teammate Sergio Perez – there does not look set to be such a dark cloud forming this time.
The RB19 is perhaps Adrian Newey’s greatest achievement yet. Verstappen’s confidence is at an all-time high, to the extent he joked in real time about a slightly misjudged approach to the kerb in Canada where George Russell had earlier crashed. And when the Dutchman has a rare off-day, perhaps in qualifying, invariably Sergio Perez is there to pick up the first-place trophy instead.
Christian Horner’s team are a pristine, well-oiled machine. They claimed their 100th win in F1 last time out in Montreal. Yet Lewis Hamilton, seven times a world champion and scampering desperately with the other 17 drivers on the grid to catch up, is willing to discuss the elephant in the room.
Full piece below:
‘It was so small’: Lewis Hamilton dismisses impact of Red Bull’s cost cap penalty
Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton
15:42 , Kieran Jackson
Hamilton said: “I think the FIA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing on next year’s car,” he added, referring to Red Bull no longer focusing on their 2023 car such is their current advantage and instead shifting emphasis to 2024.
“Say August 1, that’s where everybody can start so that no one can get an advantage on the next year, because that sucks. It would make more sense. They should. Say for example you start the season and you know you have a bad car, you can just say ‘I’m not going to bother developing this car’ and put all this money into next year’s car and have an advantage.”
Here is Verstappen’s response:
"We weren't talking about that when he was winning his championships...so I don't think we should now"
Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton's comments about a specific car development start date. pic.twitter.com/dLqxGhbzpA— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 29, 2023
Driver Standings in 2023
15:30 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 195 points
2) Sergio Perez - 126 points
3) Fernando Alonso - 117 points
4) Lewis Hamilton - 102 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 68 points
6) George Russell - 65 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 54 points
8) Lance Stroll - 37 points
9) Esteban Ocon - 29 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 15 points
11) Lando Norris - 12 points
12) Alex Albon - 7 points
13) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
14) Oscar Piastri - 5 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points
19) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
F1 team bid confirmed for 2026 season after major investment
15:15 , Kieran Jackson
British racing team Hitech Grand Prix have confirmed their bid to join the F1 grid for the 2026 season after announcing a major new investment deal.
Hitech GP, who currently race in F2, F3 and F4, were reported to be one of a number of prospective new entries into Formula 1, alongside the likes of Andretti-Cadillac and Panthera Team Asia.
Now, after announcing new investment with its parent company Hitech Global Holdings Limited selling a 25 per cent stake to Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim, Hitech confirmed they have lodged a bid to the FIA to secure a spot in three years’ time.
Hitech, based at Silverstone, stated in a press release that its F1 project was a “move that would complete its single-seater ladder and demonstrate that Hitech has all the right people, experience and resources to compete alongside the best teams in the world.”
Full story below:
New British F1 team bid confirmed for 2026 season
FULL FP1 LEADERBOARD
15:06 , Kieran Jackson
🏁 CLASSIFICATION (60/60 MINS) 🏁
Here's how we're shaping up ahead of qualifying...#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/6dTQBl6Q2X— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2023
Lewis Hamilton dismisses cost cap penalty as supreme Red Bull return to Austria
14:59 , Kieran Jackson
Austrian Grand Prix preview
For all the success garnered over the last two years, an asterisk has accompanied the Red Bull route to Formula 1 domination. In 2021, Max Verstappen’s dramatic title triumph was shrouded in controversy after the Abu Dhabi fiasco. Last year, their mightily impressive double-title glory was overshadowed by breaching the inaugural F1 cost cap.
This season, entering race nine back at their Red Bull Ring base this weekend with Verstappen holding a 69-point lead in the championship – and even that is from his teammate Sergio Perez – there does not look set to be such a dark cloud forming this time.
The RB19 is perhaps Adrian Newey’s greatest achievement yet. Verstappen’s confidence is at an all-time high, to the extent he joked in real time about a slightly misjudged approach to the kerb in Canada where George Russell had earlier crashed. And when the Dutchman has a rare off-day, perhaps in qualifying, invariably Sergio Perez is there to pick up the first-place trophy instead.
Christian Horner’s team are a pristine, well-oiled machine. They claimed their 100th win in F1 last time out in Montreal. Yet Lewis Hamilton, seven times a world champion and scampering desperately with the other 17 drivers on the grid to catch up, is willing to discuss the elephant in the room.
Full piece below:
‘It was so small’: Lewis Hamilton dismisses impact of Red Bull’s cost cap penalty
Why have Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in Alpine F1 team?
14:31 , Kieran Jackson
Explainer by Kieran Jackson
Alpine have confirmed the involvement of Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney among a group of investors who have bought a 24 per cent equity stake in the French F1 team.
The Hollywood duo, famous together for purchasing non-league Wrexham and playing a starring role in their recent transformation and promotion to the Football League, have now expanded their sporting portfolio further.
Renault, the Formula 1 team’s parent company, confirmed that Reynolds and McElhenney have joined RedBird Capital Partners, the US investment firm that own Italian football club AC Milan and also have stakes in Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, in the deal alongside US-based Otro Capital.
But why have Reynolds and McElhenney looked to F1 for their next sporting investment? What does it mean for Alpine and their championship ambitions? And how will it impact the constant arms race that is Formula 1?
Why have Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in an F1 team?
Constructors’ Championship in 2023
14:13 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 321 points
2) Mercedes - 167 points
3) Aston Martin - 154 points
4) Ferrari - 122 points
5) Alpine - 44 points
6) McLaren - 17 points
7) Haas - 8 points
8) Alfa Romeo - 8 points
9) Williams - 7 points
10) AlphaTauri - 2 points
Lando Norris victim of robbery in Marbella and influencer friend left with ‘literally nothing’
14:01 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris has revealed he had a number of expensive items stolen in a robbery at a villa in Marbella.
It is the second time the British Formula 1 star has been targeted by thieves after he was accosted by two men and had his Richard Mille designer watch stolen after the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Full story below:
Lando Norris victim of robbery in Marbella and influencer friend left with ‘nothing’
FULL FP1 LEADERBOARD
13:52 , Kieran Jackson
🏁 CLASSIFICATION (60/60 MINS) 🏁
Here's how we're shaping up ahead of qualifying...#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/6dTQBl6Q2X— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2023
De Vries and Magnussen squabble in practice
13:46 , Kieran Jackson
"I don't understand why Magnussen got upset with me, I went out of the way?" 📻🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/HV46U3sVo1
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Max Verstappen goes quickest in FP1!
13:40 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen goes quickest... on mediums! Formidable time from the Dutchman - a 1:05:742.
Carlos Sainz is second, 0.241 seconds down, with Charles Leclerc third - +0.270secs.
Lewis Hamilton fourth in the end, half-a-second down on Verstappen but on hard tyres, with Sergio Perez fifth.
6-10: Stroll, Magnussen, Alonso, Russell, Zhou
Lando Norris, in his upgraded McLaren, all the way down in last place!
Carlos Sainz fastest with five minutes to go
13:27 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz goes quickest, on softs, with a 1:05:983, with Max Verstappen 0.101secs down but on mediums.
Charles Leclerc two-tenths back from his Ferrari team-mate in third, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth.
5-10: Perez, Stroll, Alonso, Russell, Magnussen, Albon
Looks like both Red Bull cars won’t use softs in this practice session...
Lewis Hamilton still top as cars switch to softs..
13:17 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton still on top, as the majority of drivers now switch to soft tyres - finally!
Bear in mind of course that they need to preserve their soft tyres for tomorrow’s sprint shootout too!
Top-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Perez, Albon, Piastri, Stroll, Tsunoda, Ocon, Bottas
Qualifying simulations incoming with 15 minutes to go!
Lewis Hamilton now fastest after half-an-hour
13:06 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, with a 1:06:416, is the fastest on hard tyres, with Max Verstappen 0.182secs back - also on hards.
Fernando Alonso is in third, with Sergio Perez fourth. Alex Albon - finally out on track, on softs - is fifth.
6-10: Stroll, Tsunoda, Ocon, Bottas, Norris
The Ferraris? Leclerc 16th,Sainz 17th. Not sure what’s happened there...
Most of the pack will switch to softs shortly...
Max Verstappen in a relaxed mood...
12:51 , Kieran Jackson
"You're loud" 🎧
"But not clear?" 😂
Max loves a joke over team radio 😅 pic.twitter.com/92OKpu1BBz— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 30, 2023
Fernando Alonso top of the pile early on
12:44 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso quickest so far, with all the cars on hards or mediums early on - the Spaniard sets a 1:06:656, with Lewis Hamilton in second - 0.086 seconds back.
Sergio Perez is third, with Max Verstappen fourth.
5-10: Ocon, Stroll, Zhou, Magnussen, Russell
Interesting, both Williams cars of Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant not yet out of the garage...
First practice at the Austrian Grand Prix!
12:31 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway with first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix!
Just 60 minutes for the drivers to get accustomed to the track before grand prix qualifying this afternoon.
Sergio Perez is fit to drive. The pack are led out of the pit lane by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton...
Driver Standings in 2023
12:24 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 195 points
2) Sergio Perez - 126 points
3) Fernando Alonso - 117 points
4) Lewis Hamilton - 102 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 68 points
6) George Russell - 65 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 54 points
8) Lance Stroll - 37 points
9) Esteban Ocon - 29 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 15 points
11) Lando Norris - 12 points
12) Alex Albon - 7 points
13) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
14) Oscar Piastri - 5 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points
19) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
F1 Austrian Grand Prix practice LIVE
12:20 , Kieran Jackson
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix with The Independent!
It’s the second of six sprint weekends this season, with qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix taking place this afternoon following just one practice session.
Saturday sees the new “sprint shootout” take place to set the grid for the sprint race on Saturday.
So not long for the drivers to get accustomed to the Red Bull Ring! First practice is in 10 minutes!
Why have Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in Alpine F1 team?
12:15 , Kieran Jackson
Explainer by Kieran Jackson
Alpine have confirmed the involvement of Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney among a group of investors who have bought a 24 per cent equity stake in the French F1 team.
The Hollywood duo, famous together for purchasing non-league Wrexham and playing a starring role in their recent transformation and promotion to the Football League, have now expanded their sporting portfolio further.
Renault, the Formula 1 team’s parent company, confirmed that Reynolds and McElhenney have joined RedBird Capital Partners, the US investment firm that own Italian football club AC Milan and also have stakes in Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, in the deal alongside US-based Otro Capital.
But why have Reynolds and McElhenney looked to F1 for their next sporting investment? What does it mean for Alpine and their championship ambitions? And how will it impact the constant arms race that is Formula 1?
Why have Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in an F1 team?
Neymar incident could see F1 clampdown on grid access
12:08 , Kieran Jackson
The FIA could clamp down on the number of people on grids before F1 races after a recent incident involving Neymar at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The rise in popularity of the sport has brought about an increase in fans attending races as well as invited celebrities and VIPs in the paddock.
However, this has also resulted in pre-race grids becoming busier than ever with little room to move, as often seen in Martin Brundle’s grid walks on Sky Sports before races.
Now, the FIA are evaluating whether the number of people on grids is impacting safety after PSG and Brazil star Neymar was somehow still positioned at the edge of the grass on the main straight as the formation lap began in Barcelona on 4 June.
‘We must learn’: Neymar incident could see F1 clampdown on grid access
Max Verstappen was on pole last year
11:58 , Kieran Jackson
Same again this year? Probably...
Just listen to that reaction when Max claimed pole last time out in Austria 🔊 pic.twitter.com/vszf6U2jMe
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 29, 2023
F1 team bid confirmed for 2026 season after major investment
11:45 , Kieran Jackson
British racing team Hitech Grand Prix have confirmed their bid to join the F1 grid for the 2026 season after announcing a major new investment deal.
Hitech GP, who currently race in F2, F3 and F4, were reported to be one of a number of prospective new entries into Formula 1, alongside the likes of Andretti-Cadillac and Panthera Team Asia.
Now, after announcing new investment with its parent company Hitech Global Holdings Limited selling a 25 per cent stake to Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim, Hitech confirmed they have lodged a bid to the FIA to secure a spot in three years’ time.
Hitech, based at Silverstone, stated in a press release that its F1 project was a “move that would complete its single-seater ladder and demonstrate that Hitech has all the right people, experience and resources to compete alongside the best teams in the world.”
Full story below:
New British F1 team bid confirmed for 2026 season
Can anybody stop Max Verstappen this weekend?
11:32 , Kieran Jackson
First practice is in an hour!
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to invest in Alpine
11:12 , Kieran Jackson
Wrexham owners and Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are part of an investor group that has bought a 24 per cent in F1 team Alpine.
Renault, the Formula 1 team’s parent company, confirmed that Reynolds and McElhenney have joined RedBird Capital Partners, the US investment firm who own Italian football club AC Milan and also have stakes in Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, in the deal.
The 24 per cent equity purchase of £171m values Alpine at around £706m and the team said they will hope to compete for the F1 world championship following the increased investment.
Full story below:
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to invest in F1 team
Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton
10:58 , Kieran Jackson
Hamilton said: “I think the FIA should probably put a time when everyone is allowed to start developing on next year’s car,” he added, referring to Red Bull no longer focusing on their 2023 car such is their current advantage and instead shifting emphasis to 2024.
“Say August 1, that’s where everybody can start so that no one can get an advantage on the next year, because that sucks. It would make more sense. They should. Say for example you start the season and you know you have a bad car, you can just say ‘I’m not going to bother developing this car’ and put all this money into next year’s car and have an advantage.”
Here is Verstappen’s response:
"We weren't talking about that when he was winning his championships...so I don't think we should now"
Max Verstappen responds to Lewis Hamilton's comments about a specific car development start date. pic.twitter.com/dLqxGhbzpA— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 29, 2023
Toto Wolff optimistic as Mercedes target improvement at Austrian Grand Prix
10:43 , Kieran Jackson
Toto Wolff believes Mercedes’ car should perform better this weekend in Austria than two weeks ago in Canada.
The Silver Arrows switched their car philosophy a month ago, bringing in a host of upgrades for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The true impact of the revamped car has been seen in the last two races – in Barcelona and Montreal – with improved performance, recording back-to-back podiums including a double podium in Spain.
Full quotes below:
Toto Wolff optimistic as Mercedes target improvement at Austrian Grand Prix
Sergio Perez misses media day at the Austrian Grand Prix
10:29 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez was absent from media day at the Austrian Grand Prix due to illness.
The Red Bull driver, who is second in the championship standings behind team-mate Max Verstappen, “became unwell” on Wednesday night.
With qualifying taking place on Friday this weekend with the sprint format in place, the 32-year-old took the decision not to go to the Red Bull Ring on Thursday.
He is, however, expected to be fit to drive today.
Lando Norris victim of robbery in Marbella and influencer friend left with ‘literally nothing’
10:24 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris has revealed he had a number of expensive items stolen in a robbery at a villa in Marbella.
It is the second time the British Formula 1 star has been targeted by thieves after he was accosted by two men and had his Richard Mille designer watch stolen after the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Full story below:
Lando Norris victim of robbery in Marbella and influencer friend left with ‘nothing’
Lewis Hamilton dismisses cost cap penalty as supreme Red Bull return to Austria
10:22 , Kieran Jackson
Austrian Grand Prix preview
For all the success garnered over the last two years, an asterisk has accompanied the Red Bull route to Formula 1 domination. In 2021, Max Verstappen’s dramatic title triumph was shrouded in controversy after the Abu Dhabi fiasco. Last year, their mightily impressive double-title glory was overshadowed by breaching the inaugural F1 cost cap.
This season, entering race nine back at their Red Bull Ring base this weekend with Verstappen holding a 69-point lead in the championship – and even that is from his teammate Sergio Perez – there does not look set to be such a dark cloud forming this time.
The RB19 is perhaps Adrian Newey’s greatest achievement yet. Verstappen’s confidence is at an all-time high, to the extent he joked in real time about a slightly misjudged approach to the kerb in Canada where George Russell had earlier crashed. And when the Dutchman has a rare off-day, perhaps in qualifying, invariably Sergio Perez is there to pick up the first-place trophy instead.
Christian Horner’s team are a pristine, well-oiled machine. They claimed their 100th win in F1 last time out in Montreal. Yet Lewis Hamilton, seven times a world champion and scampering desperately with the other 17 drivers on the grid to catch up, is willing to discuss the elephant in the room.
Full piece below:
‘It was so small’: Lewis Hamilton dismisses impact of Red Bull’s cost cap penalty
F1 schedule - Austrian Grand Prix:
10:19 , Kieran Jackson
What is the race schedule?
(All times BST)
Friday 30 June
Free practice 1: 12:30pm
Qualifying: 4pm
Saturday 1 July
Sprint shootout: 11am
Sprint race: 3:30pm
Sunday 2 July
Race: 2pm
F1 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying LIVE
10:18 , Kieran Jackson
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix with The Independent!
It’s the second of six sprint weekends this season, with qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix taking place this afternoon following just one practice session.
Saturday sees the new “sprint shootout” take place to set the grid for the sprint race on Saturday.
So not long for the drivers to get accustomed to the Red Bull Ring! First practice is at 12:30pm; qualifying is at 4pm (BST).
