What will this weekend's race weekend in Austria look like?

It is time for many Max Verstappen fans to get the orange attire out of the closet again, as this weekend the Austrian Grand Prix is on the programme. The race at the Red Bull Ring is known for its Orange Army. Like last year, the weekend in Austria is a sprint weekend, yet it will look different this year than in 2022.

Adjusted sprint format

Earlier this season, Formula 1 teams gave permission to scrap the second free practice on Saturday during sprint weekends. This made room for an extra qualifying session: on Friday, the qualifying session will take place, which will determine the starting grid for the main race, and on Saturday, the sprint shootout will determine the starting grid for the sprint race.

Expectations

Last year, Charles Leclerc won the main race, after Max Verstappen took the fastest lap in qualifying, and won the sprint race on Saturday. Still, many people expect Verstappen to drive to victory easily this year: the Dutchman has won six of the eight Grands Prix held in this 2023, and in addition he has managed to cross the line first at the Red Bull Ring four times before. The spectacle will begin on Friday, with the (only) free practice at 13:30, and qualifying later in the afternoon at 17:00.