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Key events
The Austrian national anthem and several military helicopters. We should be close to race time. It sounds like a Christian rock song at this point.
Jos Verstappen on Max: “He knows what to do, I don’t interfere.”
Martin Brundle enters the gridiron for a bit of wandering. Hans Zimmer says: “I am about to ruin Mozart forever. If you come here, you might go bankrupt.” Something to look forward to.
“If you take Max out of the race it would be convincing,” said Sky Sports. Not exactly a big sale.
The cars are on the track as the drivers make their final preparations for the race. The wind is picking up in Austria.
Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu starts the race from the pit lane after making a few adjustments to his car.
Today we have a total of 71 laps. This makes pitching strategy crucial. This is the kind of contest that can be won or lost in boxing. The pressure is on.
Where will Verstappen go next?
A day when you need a hat that provides shade.
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda was fined €40,000 after calling a colleague Formula one driver “****** behind” in qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Tsunoda, who races for the Red Bull RB junior team, took aim at Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu on the radio after he believed he had been obstructed in the pit lane. “These guys are retarded,” he shouted.
Tsunoda, 24, was hauled before the stewards, who fined him €40,000 (£33,901), with half of the penalty suspended until the end of the season.
A statement from Formula 1’s governing body the FIA said: “He claims that his understanding of the words was different, but acknowledges that this should not be taken as an excuse for what he did.”
Does sport value its fans? Never!
George Russell wants to get on the podium today. It’s a hot day in Austria, which will make things a little less fun for the drivers.
Preamble
Max Verstappen is in first position, so in theory everything is as it should be. However, there are a few issues swirling around the Red Bull garage. Papa Verstappen and Christian Horner don’t see eye to eye at the moment, which makes the backdrop to this grand prix all the more entertaining. Naturally, Verstappen will probably win this race and another title this season, but that will only be part of the story.
The starting grid:
1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2 Lando Norris (McLaren)
3 George Russell (Mercedes)
4 Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
5 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8 Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
9 Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
10 Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
11 Daniel Ricardo (RB)
12 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
13 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
14 Yuki Tsunoda (RB)
15 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
16 Alex Alban (Williams)
17 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
18 Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
19 Logan Sergeant (Williams)
20 Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)
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