2026 Austrian Grand Prix: Start Time and Full Weekend Schedule

Formula 1 heads to the Styrian mountains this weekend for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, Round 8 of the season. The 71-lap race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg gets underway at 15:00 local time on Sunday, June 28th, as the championship fight continues through the early summer leg of the calendar.

Why it matters:

The Austrian Grand Prix arrives at a point where championship narratives are beginning to take shape. The Red Bull Ring's compact layout and three DRS zones consistently produce aggressive racing, making qualifying position and tire strategy critical on one of the calendar's shortest laps.

The details:

• Friday Practice: Free Practice 1 opens the weekend on June 26 at 13:30 local time, followed by FP2 from 17:00 to 18:00.
• Saturday Running: FP3 runs on June 27 from 12:30 to 13:30, with Qualifying later that afternoon at 16:00.
• Race Day: Sunday's grand prix starts at 15:00 local time (14:00 BST). The 71-lap contest around the 4.318km circuit typically runs for roughly 90 minutes.
• Timezone Note: All times are listed in local Spielberg time (CEST). Check adjusted schedules for your region.

What's next:

As the 2026 season enters its busiest summer stretch, Austria often serves as a proving ground for mid-season upgrades. Friday practice will offer early clues on who has found the right balance between qualifying pace and race-day tire management at a track where overtaking remains plentiful.