Like London buses, the second Formula One race of the season is upon us no sooner than the curtain-raiser is done and dusted, and if last weekend’s action is anything to go by, the inaugural Styrian Grand Prix will be an unmissable event.
The Austrian Grand Prix saw Valtteri Bottas stake his credentials as a genuine title challenger this season, making the most of an off-weekend for Lewis Hamilton who had to make do with being second-best to his Mercedes teammate when it mattered most.
Hamilton ended up down in fourth on a weekend when he picked up penalties in both qualifying and the Grand Prix itself, with a second clash with Red Bull’s Alex Albon in the space of three races relegating him off the podium and handing strong finishes to Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
With Austria’s Red Bull Ring hosting the first two races of the season, this weekend’s event will be named the Styria Grand Prix, named after the region where the Salzberg circuit is based.
However, despite talks over changing the weekend with moves such as a qualifying ‘superpole’, a change of tyre compounds and even two races across the weekend all proving unsuccessful, last week’s dramatic Grand prix suggests that this weekend’s event should be no different. Here’s everything you need to know.
When is it?
The Styrian Grand Prix takes place across 10-13 July 2020.
What time does each session start?
FRIDAY
Free practice 1: 10am – 11:30am BST
Free practice 2: 2pm – 3:30pm BST
SATURDAY
Free practice 3: 11am – 12pm BST
Qualifying: 2pm – 3pm BST
SUNDAY
Race: 2:10pm – 4:10pm BST
How can I watch it?
All European races will be held behind closed doors, meaning that the only way fans will be able to see the action is on television.
In the UK, Sky Sports continue to hold the exclusive rights for F1, with Channel 4 only able to show the British Grand Prix later in the year.
Here’s how Sky plan to show the Styrian Grand Prix:
FRIDAY
Free practice 1: 9:30am – 11:50am BST – (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event)
Free practice 2: 1:45pm – 3:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event)
SATURDAY
Free practice 3: 10:45am – 12:15pm BST (Sky Sports F1)
Qualifying: 1:30pm – 3:30pm BST (Sky Sports F1)
SUNDAY
Race: 12:30pm – 5pm BST (Sky Sports F1)
