The starting grid of the Austrian GP opens with Max Verstappen which will be triggered with the Ferrari by Charles Leclerc. Over the past season we had several occasions where the Dutchman and the Ferrari driver started next to each other. This year however - thanks to Ferrari's underperforming performances - the two have not been able to face each other many times. Precisely for this reason, Leclerc knows that he will have a great chance at the start today: the objective will be to try to copy the sprint Perez had yesterday in the Sprint – although Max certainly won't be watching.
Third place for the other red, that of Sainz, with next to his former teammate Norris on a McLaren that has brought significant updates to this track which, at least on the flying lap, have completely changed the MCL60. Very important, both for him and for Ferrari, monitor the race pace which will be taken into particular consideration to understand whether or not a clear step forward has been made.
Objective consistency
Fifth place for Lewis' Mercedes Hamilton. Yesterday, considering the track conditions, was certainly not his day. Qualifying Shootout to forget - with eighteenth place - and tenth place in the mini-race, in which however the seven-time world champion was able to make a good comeback. Next to his W-14, there will be Lance Stroll's Aston Martin who will certainly be fired up after the fourth place achieved in the Sprint. The objective will be to try to give some continuity to a season characterized by a few highs and perhaps too many lows.
Behind, in seventh position, his teammate Alonso who can be an opponent very treacherous for the podium, in particular if we consider his excellent tire management - which in almost every race proves to be the Spaniard's greatest asset. Eighth place was an exceptional Hulkenberg, sixth yesterday in the Sprint. Usually, the long race is the one that suffers the most, but it cannot be hidden that today staying in the points would be gold for him and above all for his team. Closing the top ten Gasly's Alpine and once again a super Albon looking for a new feat after seventh place in Canada two weeks ago.
We are looking for comebacks
It won't be an easy race for George Russell. The English driver has just returned from two not particularly brilliant days - even if his excellent strategy in the Sprint earned him eighth place. Who knows, maybe yesterday's performance may have given him the right energy to try to gain important positions in tomorrow's race. Twelfth is the other Alpine, that of Esteban Ocon, who is undoubtedly called to make a comeback. Thirteenth time instead for Oscar Piastri. Looking at the standings, the gap with his teammate is clearly surprising, but it is linked to the decision of the Woking team to fit the new update package only on Norris' car. And you can see the difference, and a big one at that. He will be there alongside Piastri Valtteri Bottas in another weekend to forget for now with his team.
The surprise at the bottom
Fifteenth time for Sergio Perez which however seems to be slightly recovering after yesterday's Sprint. Starting from the eighth row is certainly not a good thing, but the Mexican must definitely give a sign of recovery to try to confirm his seat, far from certain in recent weeks. tsunoda will snap next to him, with Zhou and Sargeant behind them. Magnussen's Haas and De Vries' AlphaTauri close the ranking.
All ready for Austria
With this starting grid everything is ready for the Austrian GP. The Spielberg track, over the years, has always given us beautiful races full of entertainment, in which the result is anything but trivial. Will it be the same this afternoon?
GP Austria, the starting grid
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 6 | Lance stroll | Aston Martin |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 10 | Alexander albon | Williams |
| 11 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 12 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine |
| 13 | Oscar piastri | McLaren |
| 14 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo |
| 15 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull |
| 16 | Yuki tsunoda | Alpha Tauri |
| 17 | Guanyu-Zhou | Alfa Romeo |
| 18 | Logan sargeant | Williams |
| 19 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
| 20 | Nyck de vries | Alpha Tauri |
