F1 Austrian Grand Prix sprint race predictions

Where to watch

Practice two Sky Sports F1, 11.30am Saturday
Sprint race Sky Sports F1, 3.30pm

Preview

World champion Max Verstappen thrilled the crowd at the Red Bull Ring by snatching pole position for Saturday’s Austrian Grand Prix sprint race.

In a change to the regular format, traditional qualifying took place on Friday, with the result of Saturday’s 100km dash setting the grid for ­Sunday's 71-lap grand prix.

Ferrari looked on course to lock out the front row for the sprint, which also awards points to the top eight finishers, after both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz bettered Verstappen’s earlier benchmark time with their final runs.

But despite losing time in the first two sectors of the lap, the Red Bull driver pipped Leclerc by just 0.029 seconds.

British Grand Prix winner Sainz was a further 0.053 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate.

The final segment of qualifying was held up twice as first Lewis Hamilton, then his Mercedes teammate George Russell crashed into the barriers as the noticeably partisan crowd roared its approval.
Hamilton had looked capable of challenging for pole earlier in the session.

Bookmakers were reluctant to price up the sprint race, which could well be decided by the end of the first lap, but Verstappen is 8-13 to claim his seventh win of the season in tomorrow’s grand prix.

Leclerc, who saw yet another victory chance fall by the wayside due to Ferrari’s questionable strategy calls at Silverstone, is a 5-2 chance.

Hamilton recorded podium finishes at the last two races in Canada and Britain, and although he starts tenth in the sprint, the car has potential and overtaking is possible at the Spielberg track. The seven-time world champion is 11-4 to reach the top three in the main event on Sunday.

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