F1 Austrian Grand Prix practice betting preview, tip & TV details

Practice one: Sky Sports F1, 10am Friday
Practice two: Sky Sports F1, 2pm Friday

Lewis Hamilton continued to tighten his stranglehold on the world championship with victory in last week’s French Grand Prix and the Mercedes man is favourite to continue his dominance by going fastest in first practice for this week’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The Briton has set the fastest time in the opening session at the last three events on three very different circuits, so it’s easy to make a case for backing him to extend the sequence.

But at the Red Bull Ring the home team might fancy making the most of a PR opportunity and Max Verstappen looks a value each-way bet to top first practice.

The leading teams don’t show their full potential this early in the weekend so there is every chance a glory run by a lesser team could put them in a favourable light.

They don’t often try it because there’s no long-term advantage to it, but with Verstappen having won in Austria last year there may be added brand value to sending him out late in the session on low fuel and sticky tyres.

Red Bull tried that at this circuit two years ago, only for Verstappen to run wide and end up second fastest, and he has been fourth, fourth and second in the last three opening practice sessions.

Toro Rosso’s Alex Albon will take a grid penalty in the race as he will use Honda’s upgraded engine this week, as his teammate Daniil Kvyat did in France.

Nico Hulkenberg of Renault and McLaren drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris will also incur penalties if their teams elect to fit Renault’s latest engine upgrade.

Recommendation
M Verstappen fastest in practice one
1pt each-way 20-1 Coral, Ladbrokes, Sky Bet

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport