Charles Leclerc hangs on to win Austrian Grand Prix and re-ignite title bid

• Leclerc leads home Verstappen to cut Dutchman's championship lead

• Hamilton takes final podium spot after Perez and Sainz retire

• Carlos Sainz escapes burning Ferrari after suffering huge engine failure in Austrian GP

• F1 investigating racist, sexist and homophobic abuse among Austria GP fans

Just as Charles Leclerc’s championship’s hopes were drifting slowly away, his seven-race winless run ended with a much-needed victory in Austria, spoiling the party for tens of thousands of Max Verstappen’s orange army.

Yet Leclerc’s final few tours of the Red Bull Ring were fraught with the danger of another win falling from his grasp. Moments after team-mate Carlos Sainz’s fiery retirement, Leclerc complained of a throttle issue, putting a long-awaited triumph into doubt. Verstappen was lurking just a few seconds behind.

For any realistic hope of a competitive championship, Leclerc needed to bring home the victory. Thankfully, yet another Ferrari disaster afternoon was averted and the team took their fourth win of the season.

So disrupted has Leclerc’s recent form been that this was not just his first win since April’s Australian Grand Prix, it was also his first podium since the Miami Grand Prix in early May.

"The end was incredibly difficult and it would get stuck at 20 or 30 per cent throttle in the low speed,” Leclerc said of his “scary” final laps.

"I had it [Sainz’s retirement] in my mind. Luckily it [the issue] went [before] the end of the race.

"I definitely needed that one.  The last five races have been incredibly difficult for myself and for my team," he added.

With second-placed Verstappen securing the fastest lap bonus point and taking eight points for his sprint race victory on Saturday, this was really only a chip out of the Dutchman’s points advantage. But that is a vast improvement on the mistakes and mis-steps that have littered his and Ferrari’s title campaign.

The most significant and encouraging part of the afternoon was not the reduction of the drivers’ championship deficit to 38 points but that, for the first time in months, the Ferrari was again the quickest car in race trim with, as Leclerc described, “incredible pace”.

For much of the last few months the Ferrari has been the quickest car over one lap, but has faded from its Red Bull rival on Sundays. Even Sainz’s Silverstone win last weekend came partly because Verstappen had to race with damaged bodywork.

Sunday’s race in Austria appeared to be going that way too. After failing to truly challenge Verstappen in Saturday’s sprint, Leclerc was beaten off the line by his pole-sitting rival.

After four laps he had closed to within a second and gained the crucial advantage of usage of DRS on the straights. After a few tentative half-attempts, Leclerc seized the lead with a bold overtake up the inside of turn four. It was the most important move in a race that was filled with them throughout the field, further strengthening the success of F1’s new regulations. Following his second pit stop, he had to pass the Dutchman again, and did so with ease again at turn four, proving the pace in the F1-75.

Despite the significance of this result for Leclerc’s title hopes, it was also another race where Ferrari failed to make the most of their opportunities. As Sainz closed up onto the back of Verstappen with 14 laps remaining, a Scuderia one-two looked like a formality, before Sainz’s engine gave way in dramatic fashion. It was the Spaniard’s fourth retirement of a difficult season and puts him on the back foot in the championship again, now 37 points adrift of his team-mate. After the danger of a burning car slipping back down the hill had been averted, he cut a disconsolate figure at the side of the track.

Verstappen, who finished 40 seconds ahead of third-placed Lewis Hamilton, said he was surprised by the pace of the Ferrari, given how untroubled he looked during Saturday’s 23-lap sprint race. But this and a poor return in Silverstone are only a blip in his title defence.

The Dutchman also hit out at the inconsistency in stewarding. In particular, he criticised the application of track limits penalties that dogged the weekend’s running. His team-mate Sergio Perez was hit with a penalty after qualifying on Friday and four drivers, including Pierre Gasly and Sebastian Vettel, received time penalties for similar incidents in the race.

“The track limits debate this weekend has been a bit of a joke, not only in F1 but in F2 and F3.

“It sounds very easy but it's not. When you go that quick through a corner and some of them are blind if you have a bit more understeer or the tyres are wearing it's easy to just go over the white line, but do you actually gain time?”

“I don't think we should [say] when you are 1mm over that's a penalty. Then just add a wall or put some gravel back,” he said.

“On this track at least in some places you get naturally penalised if you go over the line and touch the gravel. These kinds of things, I think it just doesn't look good for the sport as well. The other thing is with racing incidents and stuff, for sure we can do better.”

Although Hamilton brought home a third consecutive podium for Mercedes, it was a slightly curious weekend for his team. Their pace in qualifying on Friday suggested that they could be in the fight for the front two rows, but both Hamilton and Russell had uncharacteristic and costly crashes in the final part of qualifying.

Their pace in the sprint race was some way off Red Bull and Ferrari on Saturday and there was little in their pace to suggest that they would have posed a serious threat had they qualified higher. Still, the Red Bull Ring was not expected to be especially strong for them so, relatively speaking, this was an encouraging showing.

With Sainz and Perez’s retirements the Brackley-based team picked up another podium and a haul of 27 points - more than either Ferrari or Red Bull managed this weekend, despite George Russell’s early collision with Perez and subsequent time penalty.

It may not have been an enormous step forward, but Hamilton seemed encouraged with his third successive top-three finish after starting eighth.  "Definitely wasn't expecting that. Yesterday was a difficult day in a rough weekend. As a team we got third and fourth - great points,” he said.

Charles Leclerc wins in Austria - as it happened

03:51 PM

Think Mick Schumacher as driver of the day is fair

Excellent drive to P6 today. And a good drive in yesterday's sprint.

03:44 PM

Updated constructor standings

03:44 PM

Updated driver standings: Top 10

03:39 PM

Hamilton on a third podium in a row

Fortunate in some ways after a tough weekend, but out-drove Russell again this weekend.

03:38 PM

Charles Leclerc on a necessary win

03:36 PM

Max Verstappen  reacts to second

03:32 PM

Leclerc hasn't exactly taken a huge dent out of Verstappen's title lead

But chipping away at it is a lot better than Verstappen extending it, as had been the case for much of the season.

Trouble-free race for Hamilton in the end. Slightly problematic start for Russell but he comes home in fourth.

03:30 PM

AUSTRIAN GP - Top 10

1. LEC

2. VER

3. HAM

4. RUS

5. OCO

6. MSC

7. NOR

8. MAG

9. RIC

10. ALO

A third podium in a row for Mercedes, hoovering up the points when their rivals fail in one way or another. Another fine weekend for Mick Schumacher and McLaren fought back well, too. Alonso takes that final points slot.

03:28 PM

CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE 2022 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX!

That was a hell of a lot nervier than it should have been. And Ferrari should and could have taken home more points than they did. But it's two wins in a row and, crucially, one where they had the outright pace over Red Bull. That was needed. That was needed. It wasn't perhaps the clean weekend that Leclerc wanted, but it wasn't far off.  And the end result was fine.

03:26 PM

FINAL LAP

2.5 the gap as Leclerc crosses the line.

03:26 PM

Lap 70 of 71 - The gap extends to three seconds

Leclerc understandably twitchy in the cockpit. But he should be okay here. Should.

03:25 PM

Lap 69 of 71 - Leclerc leads by 2.8s

Here's the top 10 into the closing laps:

1. LEC

2. VER

3. HAM

4. RUS

5. OCO

6. MSC

7. NOR

8. MAG

9. RIC

10. BOT

03:24 PM

Lap 68 of 71 - Leclerc leads Verstappen by 2.7s

The amount he is losing isn't not significant enough to lose him the race as it stands. But who knows if the issue will get worse? Or get stuck worse than currently? Hard to say.

03:23 PM

Lap 67 of 71 - The gap is now under three seconds between leader Leclerc and Verstappen

The throttle chat on the radio continues...

"It's a mess," he says. I think. The throttle isn't going back to 0 per cent when he lifts off.

03:22 PM

Lap 66 of 71 - Doesn't sound like a terminal or serious problem

Judging by the engineer's comments. He says the throttle gets stuck coming off it. Not ideal.

Verstappen a couple of tenths quicker the last time around.

03:20 PM

Lap 65 of 71 - Surely Ferrari can't lose it from here?

The championship does not need that. The gap is at 3.6s. There are only a handful of laps to go but this does not sound good. Albon defending robustly at turn three against Bottas but the Finn gets a better run into turn four to take the final points-paying spot.

03:19 PM

Lap 64 of 71 - How is Verstappen's pace?

Comparable to Leclerc but not much more. Albon now under huge pressure from a much quicker Alexander Albon. Still doing a good job is the Williams driver. Alonso is the quickest man on track currently.

Leclerc asks about the throttle again! He is told "we will come back to you".

03:18 PM

Lap 63 of 71 - Top 10 and gaps

1. LEC

2. VER +3.4

3. HAM +33.7

4. RUS +49.4

5. OCO +50.0

6. MSC +58.0

7. NOR  +61.6

8. MAG +62.7

9. RIC +1L

10. ALB +1L

03:17 PM

Lap 62 of 71 - Leclerc told everything is fine on the throttle

And he says it's fine in the car as well.

03:17 PM

Lap 61 of 71 - Verstappen sets the fastest lap

That brings the gap down to 3.7s.

03:16 PM

Lap 60 of 71 - Does this race have another sting in the tail for Ferrari?

Verstappen might not have the pace to catch Leclerc, but does Leclerc have the reliability? He says his throttle has gone a bit funny?

03:15 PM

Lap 59 of 71 - Sainz cutting a disconsolate figure on the edge of the track

From the highs of last week to this. He was on for second place. Almost at that very moment. Verstappen and Leclerc have gone onto medium tyres. The VSC has come to an end and Leclerc leads Verstappen by 4.3s with Hamilton a further 26 seconds behind the Dutchman.

03:12 PM

Lap 58 of 71 - Alonso stops under the VSC

As does Leclerc and Verstappen. This puts Hamilton into a comfortable podium position.

Here's the order under the VSC.

1. LEC

2. VER

3. HAM

4. OCO

5. RUS

6. MSC

7. MAG

8. NOR

9. ALO

10. RIC

03:12 PM

Lap 57 of 71 - Sainz not close enough in turn one

Or turn three. And he won't be into four! Because his engine has gone! Oh no. He pulls over to the  side of the track but his car is on fire. He's on the slope down the hill but needs to get out of the car, which is making it tricky! As he tries to get out the car rolls back. The marshals try to put chocks behind the wheels and eventually they get it down.

More bad news for Ferrari... and Sainz. VSC deployed. 

03:09 PM

Lap 56 of 71 - The next thing to watch is Sainz battling Verstappen

Sainz has just take the provisional bonus lap point by setting the fastest lap. And that gives him DRS on Verstappen in second.

03:08 PM

Lap 55 of 71 - Looking like a Ferrari 1-2 here

They've just had much better pace than the Red Bull today. That surprised me a little. Not sure if Red Bull optimised their strategy in pitting early, though. But I still think Ferrari have had the faster package.

03:07 PM

Lap 54 of 71 - Top 10

1. LEC

2. VER +2.2

3. SAI +5.4

4. HAM +38.4

5. OCO +52.9

6. ALO +54.6

7. RUS +54.8

8. MSC +58.8

9. MAG +61.7

10. NOR +63.4

03:06 PM

Lap 53 of 71 - Leclerc now within DRS range

He's close at turn one, thinks about it at turn three with Verstappen on the inside. Leclerc switches to the inside on exit and gets a good exit and an easy run into turn four, even though Verstappen had the DRS there. He's back into the lead!

03:05 PM

Lap 52 of 71 - "How are we so slow," Russell asks

He wonders if he has more damage from that earlier incident with Perez. They changed the front wing at the stop, as well as the five-second time penalty.

Hamilton stops from fourth but it's looking like an easy run to 12 points for him. Has an enormous gap to Alonso behind him.

03:04 PM

Lap 51 of 71 - Sainz also onto the hard tyres

Leclerc just 2.1s behind Verstappen already. Sainz a further five seconds behind.

Can't see this one lasting long.

03:03 PM

Lap 50 of 71 - Sainz now leads Verstappen by 13s

Leclerc has gone onto a new set of hards, it seems. Now Sainz stops from the lead so Verstappen will take the lead on track. Ferrari really need to make the most of this... Perez is out and this could be a 1-2.

03:01 PM

Lap 49 of 71 - Leclerc stops from the lead!

So he will (probably) have to overtake Verstappen on track. I am sure he will have the pace for it, though. Going by the 49 laps we have seen so far today.

03:01 PM

Lap 48 of 71 - Sainz just staying that five or so seconds behind Leclerc

Leclerc has been fairly untroubled, though he is having some trouble lapping Alonso here. Alonso's pace is actually fairly similar, but he should just get out of the way really.

03:00 PM

Lap 47 of 71 - Verstappen's and Leclerc's lap times are now converging

Just a few tenths separated their lap times the last time around. Still 24 laps to go... but this pace surely isn't enough.

02:58 PM

Lap 46 of 71 - Top 10 and gaps

1. LEC

2. SAI +5.6

3. VER +19.1

4. HAM +31.7

5. ALO +68.9

6. OCO +1L

7. RUS +1L

8. STR +1L

9. MSC +1L

10. MAG  +1L

02:57 PM

Lap 45 of 71 - Ocon into the pits

Alonso in fifth, though a lap down and about to be lapped. Might only end up with four cars on the lead lap here, but it is a short lap.

02:56 PM

Lap 44 of 71 - Schumacher pits

As does Norris. Russell gets Stroll for eighth at turn eight. Stroll now has Mick Schumacher on his rear wing.

02:54 PM

Lap 43 of 71 - Verstappen still lapping quicker than Sainz and Leclerc

As you would expect at this point. Mick Schumacher having another strong weekend here. Running well in sixth and closing down Ocon.

02:53 PM

Lap 42 of 72 - Leclerc leads Sainz by four seconds

Verstappen was about 0.9s quicker the last time around. Is that enough? Not entirely sure what Ferrari's strategy will turn out to be here. Verstappen also has to get through Sainz, which might not be easy.

02:52 PM

Lap 41 of 71 - Leclerc loses some time going through that Vettel/Gasly incident

Lost about 1.5s but is still four seconds ahead of Sainz.

Russell comes into the pits and comes out in 14th.

02:50 PM

Lap 40 of 71 - Vettel into the gravel at four

There's some debris on the track... he tried to go around the outside of Gasly but Gasly understeered towards the outside of the track and punted the German off.

02:49 PM

Lap 39 of 71 - Verstappen told to match Hamilton's lap times

He asks why and is told "because there are 35 laps to go". He is then told he is free to push.

02:47 PM

Lap 38 of 71 - Top 10

1. LEC

2. SAI

3. VER

4. HAM

5. OCO

6. MSC

7. MAG

8. NOR

9. RUS

10. RIC

02:47 PM

Lap 37 of 71 - Leclerc leads Sainz by 6.3s

Okay, so assuming Ferrari are on a one-stop with both of their cars, Verstappen now needs to make up 20 seconds on Sainz and 26.4s on Leclerc to win this race. Oh, and to overtake them both. Does he have that kind of pace? On today's evidence I am not sure.

02:46 PM

Lap 36 of 71 - Verstappen firmly has midfield pace at the moment

Carlos Sainz gets a black and white flag. He also has DRS on Verstappen, who peels off into the pit lane.

02:45 PM

Lap 35 of 71 - Leclerc leads Verstappen by 3.5

Where has Verstappen's pace gone? It has disappeared. He's lapping the same pace as Ocon now.

Sainz is only 1.5s behind him now.

02:44 PM

Lap 34 of 71 - Top 10 and gaps

1. LEC

2. VER +2.7

3. SAI +5.6

4. HAM +31.1

5. OCO +36.5

6. MSC +39.5

7. MAG +40.4

8. NOR +41.8

9. RUS +43.0

10. RIC +45.9

Leclerc making rapid progress already.

02:42 PM

Lap 33 of 71 - Leclerc close into turn one

But he does not try the move. He doesn't need to. Good exit, DRS down to turn three and sticks it up the inside.

Norris gets a black and white flag for track limits.

Verstappen claims his front end grip is unpredictable.

02:41 PM

Lap 32 of 71 - Leclerc does, indeed, get within DRS range on this lap

Rapid pace from Leclerc here...

02:40 PM

Lap 31 of 71 - Russell down in ninth now

Five-second time penalty cost him. Not like he had rapid pace, anyway. Leclerc still taking big chunks of time out of Verstappen's lead. Different strategies, though. Is Leclerc taking too much out of his tyres?

He will have DRS within the next lap if he continues this...

02:39 PM

Lap 30 of 71 - Hamilton with good run on Ocon into turn three

Takes the inside line and gets the move done cleanly. Nice.

02:38 PM

Lap 29 of 71 - Hamilton's slow stop costs him

He comes out behind Ocon... far from ideal. Behind Stroll, too.

Leclerc has taken a second out of Verstappen on the last lap...

Stroll pits so Hamilton and Ocon gain a place.

02:37 PM

Lap 28 of 71 - Sainz stops, so Verstappen resumes the lead

Leclerc sets the new fastest lap. Hamilton stops but it's a slow one, 4.1s.

02:35 PM

Lap 27 of 71 - Top 10 and gaps

Sainz yet to step. Perez retires.

1. SAI

2. VER +9.7

3. LEC +16.4

4. HAM +17.9

5. STR +36.8

6. OCO +39.4

7. MAG +42.3

8. NOR +44.5

9. MSC +44.3

10. ALO +15.1

Leclerc comes out six seconds behind Verstappen.

02:34 PM

Lap 26 of 71 - Hamilton is told he has had a lap deleted

Yet seems aghast that he went off. His pace is matching the leaders currently. Roughly. Within a tenth or two, anyway.

In comes Leclerc from the lead... onto fresh tyres of the hard variety.

02:32 PM

Lap 25 of 71 - A monumental scrap in the midfield

Norris, Magnussen, Alonso, Schumacher and Zhou! Two by one by two into turn three! Magnussen takes eighth spot in the end after a tussle with Magnussen. Lovely racing.

02:30 PM

Lap 24 of 71 - Full order

1. LEC

2. SAI

3. VER

4. HAM

5. STR

6. OCO

7. TSU

8. ZHO

9. ALO

10. MAG

11. NOR

12. MSC

13. RIC

14. ALB

15. RUS

16. GAS

17. BOT

18. LAT

19. VET

20. PER

Seems that, by radio communications, Verstappen is on a two-stop.

02:30 PM

Lap 23 of 71 - Hamilton has found some clean air now

And his pace isn't too far off the leaders. Problem is he's a whole pit stop behind. Verstappen with another fastest lap, the advantage over Leclerc around 0.8s.

Okay, can Ferrari get a win from here? It's a differential strategy.

02:29 PM

Lap 22 of 71 - Sainz is considering "plan E"

Okay. What does that stand for?

Were Leclerc to stop, he would lose the lead to Verstappen here.

02:27 PM

Lap 21 of 71 - Leclerc leads Sainz by 4.1s

Verstappen is the only one of the top eight who have stopped. Verstappen taking about half a second out of Leclerc and a little more than that out of Sainz at the moment.

02:26 PM

Lap 20 of 71 - Top 10

1. LEC

2. SAI

3. VER

4. HAM

5. STR

6. TSU

7. ZHO

8. ALO

9. VET

10. OCO

Verstappen with the fastest lap.

02:25 PM

Lap 19 of 71 - Verstappen gets DRS on the run down to turn four and takes third place

Not really much danger in that one. Again Verstappen a few tenths quicker than Leclerc.

02:24 PM

Lap 18 of 71 - Russell had to serve a five-second time penalty in his stop

For that Perez incident. Ferraris stay out. Hamilton and Verstappen about to resume their duel.

02:23 PM

Lap 17 of 71 - Leclerc leads Sainz by 3.1s

Verstappen has pitted. Ocon pits, moving Hamilton up to third and Verstappen up to fourth. How much longer can the Ferraris go?

02:22 PM

Lap 16 of 71 - This has been a frantic start

Perez now trying to unlap himself from Schumacher.

Verstappen's pace is about 2-3 tenths quicker than the leader. So not an enormous advantage in any way. He's in traffic and is approaching the back of Hamilton.

02:21 PM

Lap 15 of 71 - Hamilton gets Schumacher for fifth

Nice, clean move around turn seven and eight. Magnussen is next up the road. Norris into the pits.

Hamilton gets a great run on Magnussen in turn four and makes a clean move up the inside. Hamilton now into fifth.

Quite a few warnings for track limits showing on the screens.

02:20 PM

Lap 14 of 71 - Top 10

1. LEC

2. SAI

3. OCO

4. MAG

5. MSC

6. HAM

7. NOR

8. VER

9. STR

10. TSU

A s low-ish stop for Verstappen. Not hideous but maybe lost a second.

02:19 PM

Lap 13 of 71 - Verstappen locks up into turn four

Quite badly... he loses some time with that. Did he just take the lead before that? He needs to be wary of Sainz behind him. Verstappen is into the pits!

02:18 PM

Lap 12 of 71 - Leclerc takes the lead!

He's close enough to get his nose ahead into the apex of turn four and he lunges there and makes it stick! Verstappen nearly turns in on him but stops himself! Very clean and fair racing from both men there.

Can he scamper off up the road now?

Russell has come into the pit stops but has a very, very slow stop.

02:16 PM

Lap 11 of 71 - Verstappen leads Leclerc by 0.6s

He's a bit further back this time, though.

Russell is lapping six or seven tenths off the leaders. Sainz is coming back into this battle now.

02:16 PM

Lap 10 of 71 - This is so close now

Brilliant stuff for the lead. Verstappen struggling to keep Leclerc behind, but managing it just about.

02:15 PM

Lap 9 of 71 - Leclerc has dropped back a bit in the areas where it matters

But no, he's much closer coming into three this time and tries a move up the inside but Verstappen keeps the lead on the outside... and then Leclerc is close into four and has a look on the outside but thinks better of it.  Verstappen sounding under pressure on the radio.

02:12 PM

Lap 8 of 71 - Hamilton on the radio

"Their straight line speed is crazy," he says. He means the Haas cars. Leclerc really close to Verstappen now. Will he bide his time?

He looks a bit far back heading into the first corner, even with DRS.

02:11 PM

Lap 7 of 71 - Top 10 and gaps

1. VER

2. LEC +0.5

3. SAI +3.0

4. RUS +9.6

5. OCO +10.2

6. MAG +10.6

7. MSC +11.2

8. HAM +11.7

9. NOR +14.7

10. RIC +15.1

02:10 PM

Lap 6 of 71 - Verstappen leads Leclerc by 0.7s

Leclerc hanging on in there after nearly six laps. That is encouraging.  Big DRS train behind Russell now.

He has Ocon, Magnussen, Schumacher, Hamilton all harrying him - and each other.

02:09 PM

Lap 5 of 71 - Hamilton loses seventh to Schumacher

With DRS and on the outside at of turn two and the move is done. Russell struggling to keep Ocon at bay, lapping a second off the pace of Verstappen. Wonder if he has any damage after the Perez incident?

02:08 PM

Lap 4 of 71 - Charles Leclerc with the fastest lap last time around

That puts him within DRS range of leader Verstappen. The Perez incident was Perez's fault, probably. Didn't give Russell quite enough room, he can't disappear.

02:06 PM

Lap 3 of 71 - Top 10

1. VER

2. LEC

3. SAI

4. RUS

5. OCO

6. MAG

7. HAM

8. MSC

9. RIC

10. NOR

Hamilton under threat from Schumacher here...

02:06 PM

Lap 2 of 71 - Verstappen leads Leclerc by 1.0s

Perez stops from last. Ocon in fifth. Hamilton up into seventh after Perez drops back. Both McLarens in the points.

02:05 PM

THE 2022 AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX IS GO

It's a good start from Verstappen who leads Leclerc away and retains his lead!

Russell gets a good start from fourth and takes Sainz for third at the first corner, but Sainz runs off the track into turn three... and then takes the spot again on the run to the braking zone with a decent exit. Wonder if they need to look at that.

Perez has had a coming together with Russell and Perez goes into the gravel at turn four! Russell stays fourth.  Not sure whose fault that one was.

02:03 PM

Tons of orange smoke all about the place now

Some white ones as well. Visibility issues for the fans if not the drivers. Might smell a bit...

Verstappen backs the field up before finding his place at the very front.  Fernando Alonso again very slow getting to his slot, as he was getting away from it.

02:01 PM

The formation lap is go

Everyone away cleanly. Alonso quite slow away again but he's off the line now.

01:59 PM

Not long to go now...

Predictions? It is really hard to see beyond a Verstappen win... even if Ferrari launch it off the line.

Here are the predicted strategies.

01:52 PM

I have been very impressed with Albon at Williams this season

He's ranking in the top 10 of our driver rankings, as he has been for most of the season. Excellent qualifying on Friday, though slipped back in the sprint yesterday. Still, 15th in that Williams is not too bad at all.

01:51 PM

Looks like they've got the brake covers back on Hamilton's car

Not sure of the issue(s).

01:48 PM

Still some work on Hamilton's car on the grid

Brake covers off on the front.

01:47 PM

Risk of rain for this race?

Just 10 per cent according to F1.

A little under 15 minutes until the formation lap. 

01:41 PM

The Austrian Grand Prix starting grid

1. VER 2. LEC
3 SAI 4. RUS
5. PER 6. OCO
7. MAG 8. HAM
9. MSC 10. NOR
11. RIC 12. STR
13. ZHO 14. GAS
15. ALB 16. TSU
17. LAT 18. VET
19. ALO 20. BOT

01:37 PM

Well, well, well...

What does this mean? It's anyone's guess.

01:30 PM

Raw pace ranking after 12 rounds

 30 minutes to go until the formation lap begins. 

01:26 PM

Big lock up from Perez on his lap to the grid

Into turn three, quite a heavy lock up. Easily done there. Probably wasn't on his starting tyres. Wonder if he even has the pace to finish ahead of the Ferraris today... he made good progress from 13th yesterday in the sprint.

01:25 PM

Bottas starting from the pit lane today

Alfa Romeo changed the rear wing spec and his rear suspension spec, which incurs a penalty. Has been a trying few races for him and, perhaps, the team after a promising start.

01:20 PM

The pit lane is open!

01:19 PM

Current qualifying head-to-heads between the drivers

01:12 PM

Well, this is nice

01:09 PM

What can McLaren do today?

It has been a frustrating and difficult weekend for them so far. A few points might not be a bad result...

01:03 PM

F1 investigating racist, sexist and homophobic abuse among Austria GP fans

Read the full report here.  

12:55 PM

Current constructor standings

12:50 PM

Current championship standings - Top 10

Sadly, I think it would be a surprise if Verstappen didn't extend his championship lead today.

12:46 PM

Some classic F1 cars out on track here earlier today

Ralf Schumacher in the Williams was my favourite.

12:38 PM

News from Alpine on Alonso's car

It doesn't really make much difference as he was going to start from the back yesterday.

12:34 PM

Classification from yesterday's sprint race

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

3. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

4. George Russell, Mercedes

5. Sergio Perez, Red Bull

6. Esteban Ocon, Alpine

7. Kevin Magnussen, Haas

8. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

9. Mick Schumacher, Haas

10. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo

11. Lando Norris, McLaren

12. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

13. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin

14. Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo

15. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri

16. Alexander Albon, Williams

17. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri

18. Nicholas Latifi, Williams DNF: Fernando Alonso, Alpine; Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

This is (roughly) how they will start today, though there are a few changes due to various bits and bobs being changed etc.

11:50 AM

Good afternoon F1 fans

Hello and welcome to our live coverage for the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix from the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. This is the fifth grand prix we have had at this track since the start of 2020 and the drivers know it pretty well because of that. It has been a happy hunting ground for Max Verstappen, who is aiming for his fifth grand prix win here this afternoon.

So far he has taken a clean sweep of the meaningful sessions, taking pole position in Friday's qualifying session and winning yesterday's sprint race with relative ease. There was a brief threat from Ferrari in the opening corners, but after Carlos Sainz overcooked it at turn three - letting Charles Leclerc back through to second, it was plain sailing.

The Dutchman and championship leader never extended his lead beyond three seconds but he appeared to be completely in control. Ferrari perhaps cost themselves a little time in fighting each other, but that has been the way of things for a few races now. With the eight points for the victory in yesterday's sprint, Verstappen extended his title lead yet again. Ferrari were not a million miles away on race pace, but will need to not trip over themselves today.

There was a good comeback drive from Sergio Perez, who went from 13th to fifth in the sprint. Perhaps that shows the true pace of the Red Bull compared to their rivals. George Russell will start in fourth as the lead Mercedes . Lewis Hamilton's comeback drive from ninth in the sprint did not materialise. He was caught up in an incident at turn one, losing places and then was stuck behind Mick Schumacher for a fair chunk of the race. In any case, the ultimate pace of the Mercedes might have struggled to trouble the podium given Russell finished 13 seconds off Verstappen after 23 laps.

It rained overnight and earlier this morning at the Red Bull Ring but the chances are looking likely for a dry race. Can anyone stop Verstappen? It might take another issue or mechanical fault (or a DNF) to stop him, given how imperious his form is.

We will find out a little after 2pm BST when the lights go out.