F1 – Formula One returns to action this weekend as the 2026 world championship makes it stop at the world-famous Red Bull Ring for the front-end of an exciting double-header with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next week.
All eyes continue to focus on F1’s top three of defending constructors’ world champions McLaren, current leaders Mercedes, and resurgent Ferrari.
The Spielberg track has been a happy hunting ground for Bahrain-owned McLaren, particularly for reigning F1 drivers’ world champion Lando Norris, who won last year’s race to spearhead a McLaren one-two with teammate Oscar Piastri.
In 2020, Norris also secured his first-ever F1 podium at the Red Bull Ring, and followed that up with another top-three finish in Austria a year later.
Their triumph in 2025 was then part of their incredible run to F1’s title double.
“Austria has historically been a strong track for us, and while we take nothing for granted in such a tight field, we are optimistic that the car and driver characteristics will again suit the circuit, putting us in the fight at the front,” McLaren’s applied engineering technical director Neil Houldey explained.
“We’re always looking to make refinements that add performance and lap time to the car. For this event, we’ve focused on minor detail updates around the car’s rear corners, as well as an experimental rear wing that will run throughout Friday’s sessions.
“While the overall package is lighter than some of our recent updates, these developments are all part of our season-long development pathway, and we’re continuing to look for every lap time opportunity wherever we can.
“We are also preparing for the possibility of wet weather, which would be one of the first times running the car in those conditions this season.”
The Red Bull Ring is one of the circuits on the F1 calendar with the most significant elevation changes, posing an intriguing challenge for the new generation of contenders.
Situated around 700 metres above sea level, the circuit’s altitude naturally reduces aerodynamic performance and grip.
The characteristics of the new cars, which are narrower and generate less downforce, will increase these challenges and affect how drivers take corners.
The combination of elevation changes, altitude, and the Red Bull Ring’s short lap also put greater strain on the power units, requiring them to work harder and increasing the importance of efficient energy management.
“Our Achilles heel so far has been reliability,” admitted Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff as they head into Austria with a 72-point lead over Ferrari, and with young superstar Kimi Antonelli topping the drivers’ standings.
“The margins are tight, and will be even tighter around Spielberg given the length of the lap.
“We need to put together a better weekend than we have in recent races but if we can deliver to our maximum, then we know we can challenge for victory.”
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur is hoping to carry their momentum from Lewis Hamilton’s historic victory in Barcelona-Catalunya nearly a fortnight ago to Spielberg.
“We arrive in Austria encouraged by our positive showing over the past few races, even though we are fully aware that there is still a lot of work to do and that we must continue to focus on ourselves,” said Vasseur.
“We will approach this weekend with the same method and mindset that we have adopted since the start of the season, aiming to put together clean sessions in every respect – from track execution to the strategic decisions taken on the pit wall.”
Sunday’s 71-lap Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled for a 4pm start, Bahrain time.
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