Austrian Grand Prix qualifying LIVE: Latest F1 updates as Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton to pole position
Follow the latest updates from the opening qualifying session of the Formula One season
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Follow the latest updates live from the first qualifying session of the Formula One season at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton has dominated all three practice sessions so far this weekend, topping the timesheets on each occasion with Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in close company. However, much of the attention will be on the DAS system that the reigning world champions have used this weekend, which has been approved by the FIA for use despite a protest from rivals Red Bull.
Ferrari look to have found some pace in their car, while dark horses Racing Point could find themselves involved at the business end of the grid after showing a promising pace in practice. However, it will need to be a swift turnaround for the Williams mechanics, with rookie Nicholas Latifi crashing in third practice this morning that leaves the struggling team facing a rapid rebuild to make it in time for qualifying. The action begins at 2pm with all the live updates below.
What time does each session start?
FRIDAY
Free practice 1: 10am – 11:30am BST
Free practice 2: 2pm – 3:30pm BST
SATURDAY
Free practice 3: 11am – 12pm BST
Qualifying: 2pm – 3pm BST
SUNDAY
Race: 2:10pm – 4:10pm BST
Qualifying 1
Bottas puts in a rather underwhelming lap that only puts him fourth, while Norris meanwhile is flying out there with the fastest first sector of all. His McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz takes second with a lovely effort, and Norris has to make do with sixth due to a sloppy remainder of the lap.
Qualifying 1
Hamilton makes an error on his first flying lap and is way down in 14th place, 0.745s off the fastest time of Verstappen. He's got plenty of work to do there.
Qualifying 1
That's better from Hamilton, but it's still not enough for tough spot as the reigning champion is 0.1s off Verstappen. Time for a breather, but with 3:45 left in the session the final runs are not far away.
Qualifying 1
Who needs to improve to avoid dropping out of qualifying? Giovinazzi, Raikkonen, Magnussen, Grosjean and Latifi are all currently in the bottom five.
Qualifying 1
There's a new fastest time ... from Lance Stroll! the man who so regularly struggle with qualifying has just posted a 1:04.309 and that's the benchmark.
Qualifying 1
Raikkonen fails to improve! Ricciardo has a moment right in front of him, and it costs him the precious time that will leave him down in 19th position. Grosjean and Magnussen do improve though, and that relegates Russell down to 17th and the Williams will not make it out sadly.
Out of qualifying
16. Magnussen
17. Russell
18. Giovinazzi
19. Raikkonen
20. Latifi
Qualifying 1
That's a massive disappointment for Alfa Romeo, with both of their drivers beaten by the Williams of George Russell that suggests not only have Williams improved, but Alfa have slipped back down the grid. The battle to be off the back row of the grid looks like a much closer one this year.
Qualifying 2
Mercedes have turned it up, and Hamilton delivers a 1:03.325 with Bottas two tenths off. Red Bull have tried out the medium tyres, but he's way off the pace in eighth and that will have to be aborted pretty sharpish. While the Mercs are flying, Ferrari are really struggling, with Leclerc down in seventh and Vettel 10th!
Qualifying 2
Verstappen goes for a second lap on the mediums and it's a slight improvement up to sixth. Here's how they stand at the midway point:
1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Norris
4. Stroll
5. Perez
6. Verstappen
7. Ricciardo
8. Leclerc
9. Sainz
10. Vettel
Drop-zone
11. Gasly
12. Kvyat
13. Albon
14. Ocon
15. Grosjean
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