Austrian Grand Prix tonigh (July 5): What time does the F1 race start, what TV channel?

Almost four months after teams abandoned the Austrian Grand Prix, the 2020 Formula One season finally gets underway tonight, in Spielberg on Sunday July 5.
July 05, 2020 | 16:41

What is it?

The 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, the belated start of the Formula One season, which takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

When is it?

The first two free practice sessions were on Friday July 3, with final practice and qualifying on Saturday July 4. The Austrian Grand Prix itself is on Sunday July 5.

What time does it start?

The Grand Prix starts at the now customary time of 2.10pm BST on Sunday.

What TV channel is it on?

Sky Sports F1 have exclusive coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few. Their qualifying program starts at 1.30pm, with race coverage on Sunday at 1pm.

Channel 4 also have highlights this season, and their qualifying coverage starts at 6.45pm on Saturday, with race highlights at 6.30pm on Sunday.

You can also keep up to date throughout the race with Luke Slater right here at Telegraph Sport.

Watch the Austrian Grand Prix through Now TV for £9.99.

What happened in qualifying?

It was another tale of Mercedes, dominance, with Valtteri Bottas pipping his team-mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position, ahead of Max Verstappen. Ferrari struggled more than they ever have done, qualifying in a lowly seventh and 11th, Sebastian Vettel being eliminated in Q1.

Qualifying top 10

  1. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 02.939secs

  2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:02.951

  3. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:03.477

  4. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:03.626

  5. Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:03.868

  6. Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:03.868

  7. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:03.923

  8. Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:03.971

  9. Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:04.029

  10. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:04.239

What do we know about the Red Bull Ring?

  • Circuit length: 4.318km
  • First grand prix: 1970 (as the Osterreichring)
  • Laps: 71
  • Race distance: 306.452km
  • Race lap record: 1.06.957 - Kimi Raikkonen, 2018
  • 2019 winner: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
  • Number of corners: Officially 10 but it's really nine as turn two is a complete non-event
  • Overtaking chances: Best chances are into the heaviest braking zones on the track, turn one and turn three, both uphill right-handers which have the opportunity for contact if someone misjudges it all.

What are the odds (top seven)?

  • Lewis Hamilton 11/10
  • Valtteri Bottas 13/8
  • Max Verstappen 4/1
  • Sergio Perez 40/1
  • Lando Norris 40/1
  • Alexander Albon 40/1
  • Charles Leclerc 50/1

What was our pre-race prediction?

It's really hard to look beyond Mercedes here, although Red Bull have gone very well at the track which bears their name in the last two years. You'd expect Max Verstappen to be in the mix but Red Bull have been slow starters traditionally. But I think between the two Mercedes and Verstappen. Bottas has taken two pole positions here and the track suits his style, so he may be close to Hamilton on Saturday. I'm backing him to repeat his feat of winning the opening race of 2019 this year, too.

Podium prediction: 1st Bottas 2nd Hamilton 3rd Verstappen

32 Vietnamese racing drivers receive licences

Thirty-two Vietnamese racing drivers received their racing licences during a ceremony in Hanoi on July 4.

The event, held for the first time in Vietnam, was co-hosted by the Vietnam Motorsports Association (VMA) and the Vietnam Motorsports Association Ltd. Co.

The licence presentation ceremony will be held annually on the national scale to honour outstanding sport car racers, who will have chances to be trained by a system under the management of the National Sporting Authority, and accumulate scores.

VMA Chairman Le Khac Hiep said with the international licences, racers could represent Vietnam to compete in international tournaments and others by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), or hone their skills via FIA’s training courses.

australia grand prix tonigh july 5 what time does the f1 race start what tv channel

At the event, three racers received international licences and the remaining, including three women, were awarded with national licences.

Two junior athletes Pham Hoang Nam and Bui Duc Minh were also granted the CIK – C Junior, the international Go Kart car racing certificate, C class, for the 12-15 age group.

Racers at the event later visited the F1 racetrack in Hanoi where the F1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 will be held.

On the occasion, the first Vietnamese racing drivers joined in a simulated car race “The Vietnamese Racing Show”.

Source: Nhandan

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