Ferrari has pitted Hamilton for the hard compound tyres. Meanwhile, George Russell has established a five-second lead over the rest of the grid.
Mercedes finally pit Russell on Lap 20/71, with Max Verstappen Piastri to follow.
We hear over the radio that Russell might consider a one-stop strategy? This seems unlikely.
The temperatures are scorching and it could be a message to throw off other teams. But you never know.
Ad commentators note, Russell is a known “tyre whisperer”.
George Russell still has the lead in Austria and leads Lewis Hamilton by around three seconds.
BUT WAIT.
A third-placed Max Verstappen sweeps around the inside in Turn 3 and overtakes the seven-time world champion. Moments later the Ferrari driver snatches it back near turn four, after Verstappen locked his tyres.
This is spectacular stuff and makes you feel nostalgic for the extraordinary 2021 championship battle between the two.
Verstappen complains on radio, claiming Hamilton forced him off. Race stewards take note.
Charles Leclerc has struggled with pace and sits in fifth with Aussie Piastri in sixth.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are both out of the Austrian Grand Prix – marking a double retirement for Cadillac.
That’s a strong start for Aussie Oscar Piastri who has climbed up to sixth place, overtaking his teammate Lando Norris.
Oh dear, we’ve just heard a snippet of Kiwi Liam Lawson’s radio.
“I’ve got a fire in my car,” the driver warns over the radio.
Moments later we here from Cadillac’s Sergio Perez who says “I’ve got a lot of smoke in the cockpit.
Lights out and away we go.
Pole-sitter George Russell has a decent start and holds first position into the first corner. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc lunge towards the Mercedes, but are unable to overtake.
Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli has also tried to get ahead, but has failed. The youngster has gone off the track three times within the first two laps.
Most drivers have opted for mediums, except for Bortoleto and Sainz whop have gone for the soft compound tyres.
That’s not an ideal start for Lando Norris.
The 2025 world champion appears to be having issues with his brakes during the starting lap.
McLaren engineers have been working quickly to try and fix it.
We’ve just seen an interesting interview on Sky Sports.
Commentators have asked McLaren CEO Zak Brown if there is any chance Max Verstappen could have a seat at McLaren next year.
Brown said McLaren were very happy with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
However to use Brown’s words verbatim, if someone “slipped on a banana peel out of the tub,” and was no longer available, then of course, they’d consider Verstappen.
“Here’s a four-time world champion,” Brown added with a smile.
It is hot, hot, hot.
Spectators at Austria expect clear skies with temperatures hitting 34°C during the day.
Formula 1’s governing body, issued ‘heat hazard’ ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
It will likely be a two-stop strategy today and tyre management will be key.
