How to follow Austrian Grand Prix on the BBC

The Red Bull Ring, one of the shortest tracks on the F1 calendar, is set in the Styrian hills and features plenty of opportunities for overtaking [Getty Images]Round eight of the 2026 Formula 1 season heads to Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, from 26-28 June.

>Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden win for Ferrari last time out with victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

>Hamilton was on the podium with fellow British drivers George Russell of Mercedes and McLaren's world champion Lando Norris.

>The 41-year-old has narrowed the gap on Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli at the top of the drivers' championship to 41 points after the Italian 19-year-old retired from the race.

>The race in Austria has been declared a heat-hazard race by F1's governing body the FIA because the temperature is forecast to exceed 31C.

>The ruling means drivers can use a cooling kit that flows cooled liquid, such as glycol, through a system of pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls.

>The cooling kit is not mandatory but any driver who chooses not to use it has to carry 5kg of ballast in their car to ensure he does not have a competitive advantage.

>Sunday's 71-lap grand prix starts at 14:00 BST.

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>You can also listen by asking most smart speakers to "play BBC Radio 5 Live" or "play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra".

>Make sure to listen to every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

>All times BST.

>Friday, 26 June

>First practice: 12:30-13:30 (Sports Extra 2 via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

>Second practice:16:00-17:00 (Sports Extra 2 via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

>Saturday, 27 June

>Third practice: 11:30-12:30 (Sports Extra 3 via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

>Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 (Sports Extra 3 via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

>Sunday, 28 June

>Race: 14:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

What is the Austrian GP weather forecast? Lando Norris fought off a race-long challenge from McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to win in Austria last year, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finishing third [Getty Images]Like most of Europe, Spielberg is set for sweltering temperatures at this weekend's grand prix.

>Friday is forecast to be sunny with a gentle breeze and a high temperature of 32C, while Saturday's qualifying session will be warmer again at 33C.

>For Sunday's race, which gets under way at 3pm local time, the conditions will be sunny and very hot once again, with temperatures reaching highs of about 33C.

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