F1 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying predictions, free Formula 1 betting tips

Free F1 tips, betting odds & analysis for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session at Red Bull Ring on Friday

Where to watch

Practice one Sky Sports F1, 12.30pm Friday
Qualifying Sky Sports F1, 4pm Friday

Best bets

Max Verstappen fastest qualifier
1pt 6-4 Betfred

George Russell to beat Lewis Hamilton in qualifying match bet
2pts 5-6 bet365

Qualifying preview

After chaotic, rain-hit qualifying sessions in Canada and Britain, the sun is set to shine for Austrian Grand Prix qualifying but the catch this time is that the teams will have had only one hour to prepare, rather than the usual three.

The Red Bull Ring hosts the second of three scheduled sprint-race weekends this season, between April’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and Sao Paulo in November.

That means that after an hour of practice, a conventional qualifying session will decide the grid for Saturday's 100km sprint.

The result of that dash forms the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, while also rewarding the top eight finishers with championship points.

World championship leader Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the last sprint race at Imola.

That was his only dry-weather pole of the 2022 season so far, and there are reasons to fancy him ahead of single-lap superstar Charles Leclerc again this weekend.

At Silverstone last week the Red Bull looked a quicker car than the Ferrari, notwithstanding Carlos Sainz’s maiden career pole and victory.

Verstappen was hampered by a badly damaged floor after running over a chunk of debris. Teammate Sergio Perez had to make an unscheduled early pitstop for a new front wing, but recovered to finish second in the race.

With its sweeping, fast corners and high average speed the Styrian mountain circuit provides a similar challenge to the British track.
Verstappen has an excellent record at the Red Bull Ring, where he has won four times and took both races from pole position last year.

Last weekend was a rare one this season in which Lewis Hamilton comprehensively outperformed his new Mercedes teammate George Russell.

However, Silverstone has always been a track that brings out the best in the seven-time world champion – something that certainly doesn’t apply to the Red Bull Ring.

Hamilton has just two wins from ten appearances at the circuit, all of which happened during Mercedes’ period of dominance.

Russell outperformed his Williams to run strongly in the points in both Austrian races last year and he should be relishing the prospect of tackling the track in a much more competitive car.

Hamilton has qualified ahead of Russell at the last two races, but both were rain-affected and the younger man lost the chance of a prominent grid spot in Canada by taking an ill-advised tyre gamble.

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