Formula 1 kicked off the week of the Austrian Grand Prix with a focus on the timetable, intense heat, and technical updates. The eighth round of the 2026 season will be contested from June 26 to 28 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
The weekend will follow the traditional format, with three free practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. FP1 is scheduled for Friday at 08:30, followed by FP2 at 12:00. On Saturday, FP3 takes place at 07:30, and the qualifying at 11:00. The race is on Sunday at 10:00, all times in Brasília time.
The weather forecast also became a key talking point for the Austrian round. A weather alert was issued due to high temperatures across Europe, and heat is expected to be intense in Spielberg, with readings around 30°C and the possibility that the race could be among the hottest of the year so far.
On the technical side, Ferrari is preparing an engine upgrade to try to close the gap to Mercedes. The Italian team awaits FIA clearance to debut its first evolution within the ADUO system, combined with a package that also includes a new fuel developed in partnership with Shell.
Haas confirmed Ryo Hirakawa in Esteban Ocon’s car during FP1 of the Austrian GP. The Japanese driver will race the VF-26 alongside Oliver Bearman, in a session that will also feature other rookies already confirmed by rival teams.
Away from the track, Stefano Domenicali returned to discuss Fernando Alonso. The Formula 1 CEO stated that he hopes to see the two-time world champion on the grid for a long time and emphasized that the Spaniard can still show his talent if provided with a competitive project.
