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F1 Race Review

2026 Austrian Grand Prix

Spielberg Dry race, 33°C at the start

5.6 /10

Worth it

Final score, updated 25 Oct 2026

Rate

Verdict

The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix delivered a solid afternoon of racing at Spielberg, defined by scorching heat that pushed machinery to its limits and forced multiple mechanical retirements. Strategy gambles and early track-limits mistakes generated over 50 overtakes through the field, keeping the mid-pack lively throughout the afternoon. The real intrigue built in the closing stages, culminating in a tense run to the line as the race leader faced mounting pressure from a rapidly closing chase group. It makes for a decent, watchable Grand Prix with enough late-race drama to hold your attention, even if it falls short of being an all-time thriller.

Measured signals

Signal Value vs archive
Rain No -100%
Overtakes (top 10) 17 -12%
Overtakes (total) 42 Avg
Lead Changes 0 -100%
Grid Movement 9.0 -70%
Interruptions 2 +36%
Retirements 4 +51%
Winning Margin 1.6s -81%
Podium Gap 0.4s -96%
Strategy Variety 3 +9%
Compounds Used 1 -10%
Pit Stops 2.0 +6%
Teams in Top 5 4 +11%

Race assessment

Lead Battle 3.3 ±0.2
Late Drama 4.8 ±0.6
Unpredictability 3.5 ±0.4
Midfield Racing 6.2 ±0.6
Stakes 5.7 ±0.5

Race weather

No rain was measured at the track during the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix.

Dry measured at the track

33°C At the start

Race

  1. 14:00 Dry at the track 34°C Rain at the track 0 min
  2. 15:00 Dry at the track 33°C Rain at the track 0 min
  3. 16:00 Overcast 32°C Rain at the track 0 min
  4. 17:00 Overcast 32°C –

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix worth watching?

The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix delivered a solid afternoon of racing at Spielberg, defined by scorching heat that pushed machinery to its limits and forced multiple mechanical retirements. Strategy gambles and early track-limits mistakes generated over 50 overtakes through the field, keeping the mid-pack lively throughout the afternoon. The real intrigue built in the closing stages, culminating in a tense run to the line as the race leader faced mounting pressure from a rapidly closing chase group. It makes for a decent, watchable Grand Prix with enough late-race drama to hold your attention, even if it falls short of being an all-time thriller.

What was the score for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix?

The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix scored 5.6/10. The score combines timing data, such as overtakes, interruptions and tyre strategy, with a review of how the race played out.

Did it rain during the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix?

No, the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix was dry. Temperature at lights out: 33 °C.

Detailed analysis

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Ai Assessment

5.7

The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix provided a solid if unspectacular contest, headlined by George Russell controlling the race from pole position despite suffering a drinks system failure in high temperatures. A late charge from Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli set up a close grandstand finish, while wheel-to-wheel battles further back kept the overall spectacle engaging.

Top3 Gap

9.2

The battle for the win ended in a thrilling finish, with George Russell crossing the line just 1.6 seconds clear of Max Verstappen. Kimi Antonelli completed the podium only three-tenths of a second behind Verstappen to round out an exceptionally tight top three.

Team Variety

10.0

Five different constructors populated the top ten, led by Mercedes on the top step alongside Red Bull Racing. Ferrari, McLaren, and Racing Bulls also secured points finishes, showcasing strong competitive depth across the grid.

Race Interruptions

5.0

The Grand Prix featured two race interruptions to clear incidents on track. These brief neutralisations allowed marshals to clean up safely without majorly altering the outcome at the front.

Overtakes Top10

4.6

There were 23 overtakes recorded inside the top ten positions during the race. Much of this top-tier action was driven by Max Verstappen fighting his way up from fifth on the grid, including feisty wheel-to-wheel duels with Lewis Hamilton.

Overtakes Total

6.2

A total of 51 overtakes were completed throughout the entire field over the course of the race. Spielberg's heavy braking zones at Turn 3 and Turn 4 provided the main passing spots for drivers making moves.

Dnf Factor

6.7

Four drivers failed to finish the race at the Red Bull Ring. Among those forced out was Carlos Sainz, whose afternoon ended prematurely following a mechanical failure.

Tyre Strategy Variety

6.0

High track temperatures made thermal degradation a primary concern for pit walls. Teams utilized three distinct strategic approaches across the field to manage tyre life through the 71 laps.

Unique Tyre Compounds

5.0

Only one compound selection baseline was logged for this metric, reflecting dry conditions throughout the session.

Grid Chaos

1.2

Grid chaos was minimal off the line as the field made a remarkably clean start. George Russell launched well from pole position to retain his lead without dramatic reshuffling on the opening lap.

Rain Factor

0.0

Hot, sunny conditions prevailed throughout the afternoon in Spielberg, leading to high track temperatures. Rain played no role whatsoever during the Grand Prix.

Tyre strategies

Show spoilers
  • Soft
  • Medium
  • Hard

71 laps

  1. 1 Russell Medium, laps 1–19 (19 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 20–43 (24 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 44–71 (28 laps, new tyres)
  2. 2 Verstappen Medium, laps 1–18 (18 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 19–49 (31 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 50–71 (22 laps, new tyres)
  3. 3 Antonelli Medium, laps 1–24 (24 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 25–51 (27 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 52–71 (20 laps, new tyres)
  4. 4 Piastri Medium, laps 1–19 (19 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 20–42 (23 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 43–71 (29 laps, new tyres)
  5. 5 Hamilton Medium, laps 1–12 (12 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 13–25 (13 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 26–42 (17 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 43–71 (29 laps, new tyres)
  6. 6 Hadjar Medium, laps 1–18 (18 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 19–40 (22 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 41–71 (31 laps, new tyres)
  7. 7 Norris Medium, laps 1–21 (21 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 22–47 (26 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 48–71 (24 laps, new tyres)
  8. 8 Leclerc Medium, laps 1–13 (13 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 14–37 (24 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 38–59 (22 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 60–71 (12 laps, used tyres)
  9. 9 Lawson Medium, laps 1–19 (19 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 20–45 (26 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 46–70 (25 laps, new tyres)
  10. 10 Lindblad Medium, laps 1–18 (18 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 19–46 (28 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 47–70 (24 laps, new tyres)
  11. 11 Bortoleto Soft, laps 1–17 (17 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 18–44 (27 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 45–70 (26 laps, new tyres)
  12. 12 Hulkenberg Medium, laps 1–21 (21 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 22–45 (24 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 46–70 (25 laps, new tyres)
  13. 13 Gasly Medium, laps 1–13 (13 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 14–38 (25 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 39–51 (13 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 52–70 (19 laps, new tyres)
  14. 14 Bearman Medium, laps 1–24 (24 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 25–45 (21 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 46–70 (25 laps, new tyres)
  15. 15 Colapinto Medium, laps 1–20 (20 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 21–46 (26 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 47–70 (24 laps, new tyres)
  16. 16 Ocon Medium, laps 1–18 (18 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 19–33 (15 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 34–69 (36 laps, new tyres)
  17. 17 Albon Medium, laps 1–18 (18 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 19–37 (19 laps, new tyres); Hard, laps 38–69 (32 laps, new tyres)
  18. 18 Alonso Medium, laps 1–24 (24 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 25–49 (25 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 50–68 (19 laps, new tyres)
  19. 19 Stroll Medium, laps 1–24 (24 laps, new tyres); Soft, laps 25–45 (21 laps, new tyres)
  20. 20 Sainz Soft, laps 1–14 (14 laps, new tyres); Medium, laps 15–23 (9 laps, new tyres)
  21. 21 Perez Medium, laps 1–4 (4 laps, new tyres)
  22. 22 Bottas Medium, laps 1–2 (2 laps, new tyres)

Results and standings

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Driver results

Pos Driver
1
George RUSSELL
George RUSSELL
Mercedes / Finished
2
Max VERSTAPPEN
Max VERSTAPPEN
Red Bull Racing / Finished
3
Kimi ANTONELLI
Kimi ANTONELLI
Mercedes / Finished
4
Oscar PIASTRI
Oscar PIASTRI
McLaren / Finished
5
Lewis HAMILTON
Lewis HAMILTON
Ferrari / Finished
6
Isack HADJAR
Isack HADJAR
Red Bull Racing / Finished
7
Lando NORRIS
Lando NORRIS
McLaren / Finished
8
Charles LECLERC
Charles LECLERC
Ferrari / Finished
9
Liam LAWSON
Liam LAWSON
Racing Bulls / Finished
10
Arvid LINDBLAD
Arvid LINDBLAD
Racing Bulls / Finished
11
Gabriel BORTOLETO
Gabriel BORTOLETO
Audi / Finished
12
Nico HULKENBERG
Nico HULKENBERG
Audi / Finished
13
Pierre GASLY
Pierre GASLY
Alpine / Finished
14
Oliver BEARMAN
Oliver BEARMAN
Haas F1 Team / Finished
15
Franco COLAPINTO
Franco COLAPINTO
Alpine / Finished
16
Esteban OCON
Esteban OCON
Haas F1 Team / Finished
17
Alexander ALBON
Alexander ALBON
Williams / Finished
18
Fernando ALONSO
Fernando ALONSO
Aston Martin / Finished
19
Lance STROLL
Lance STROLL
Aston Martin / DNF
20
Carlos SAINZ
Carlos SAINZ
Williams / DNF
21
Sergio PEREZ
Sergio PEREZ
Cadillac / DNF
22
Valtteri BOTTAS
Valtteri BOTTAS
Cadillac / DNF

Driver standings

PosDriverPtsWins
1
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
156 5
2
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
115 1
3
George Russell
George Russell
Mercedes
106 1
4
Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
75 0
5
Lando Norris
Lando Norris
McLaren
73 0
6
Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
68 0
7
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
55 0
8
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly
Alpine F1 Team
41 0
9
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
34 0
10
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson
RB F1 Team
28 0
11
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman
Haas F1 Team
18 0
12
Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto
Alpine F1 Team
16 0
13
Arvid Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad
RB F1 Team
13 0
14
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz
Williams
6 0
15
Alexander Albon
Alexander Albon
Williams
5 0
16
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon
Haas F1 Team
3 0
17
Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto
Audi
2 0
18
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
1 0
19
Nico Hülkenberg
Nico Hülkenberg
Audi
0 0
20
Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac F1 Team
0 0
21
Sergio Pérez
Sergio Pérez
Cadillac F1 Team
0 0
22
Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
0 0

Constructor standings

PosTeamPtsWins
1
Mercedes
Mercedes
262 6
2
Ferrari
Ferrari
190 1
3
McLaren
McLaren
141 0
4
Red Bull
Red Bull
89 0
5
Alpine F1 Team
Alpine F1 Team
57 0
6
RB F1 Team
RB F1 Team
41 0
7
Haas F1 Team
Haas F1 Team
21 0
8
Williams
Williams
11 0
9
Audi
Audi
2 0
10
Aston Martin
Aston Martin
1 0
11
Cadillac F1 Team
Cadillac F1 Team
0 0

More races

Spielberg in other seasons