Who will win the Austrian Grand Prix? By Hannah KennellyLatest Posts11.42pmPiastri up into P5. Is a podium possible?By Hannah KennellyOscar Piastri has fought is way up into the fifth (starting from seventh on the grid). He is roughly three seconds behind Charles Leclerc, with Kimi Antonelli in third. Oscar Piastri has fought his way into P5 Getty ImagesPole sitter George Russell is still leading the race, however he has Max Verstappen breathing down his neck. Lewis Hamilton – who pitted again for soft tyres – passed Hadjar and is now in sixth.11.35pmVirtual safety car; Sainz out of race By Hannah KennellyOh dear. Williams driver Carlos Sainz’s car has spluttered to a halt. That’s another retirement for today. This is diaster for Sainz and even worse for Kimi Antonelli. The Italian youngster had already committed to coming into the pits a lap too early, and now misses out on the advantage of a virtual safety car. 11.33pmHamilton and Verstappen almost collide By Hannah KennellyThis is nail-biting stuff. At turn 6, Verstappen made a gigantic lunge up the inside to overtake Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion attempts to snatch it back, and the two almost touch. 11.26pmRussell ‘the tyre whisperer’ leads GPBy Hannah KennellyFerrari has pitted Hamilton for the hard compound tyres. Meanwhile, George Russell has established a five-second lead over the rest of the grid. Mercedes finally pit Russell on Lap 20/71, with Max Verstappen Piastri to follow. Can Russell survive on one pit stop?AP Photo/Denes ErdosWe hear over the radio that Russell might consider a one-stop strategy? This seems unlikely.The temperatures are scorching and it could be a message to throw off other teams. But you never know. Ad commentators note, Russell is a known “tyre whisperer”. 11.22pmWatch: The start of the Austria GP By 11.19pmHamilton and Verstappen begin fierce battle By Hannah KennellyGeorge Russell still has the lead in Austria and leads Lewis Hamilton by around three seconds. BUT WAIT. A third-placed Max Verstappen sweeps around the inside in Turn 3 and overtakes the seven-time world champion. Moments later the Ferrari driver snatches it back near turn four, after Verstappen locked his tyres. This is spectacular stuff and makes you feel nostalgic for the extraordinary 2021 championship battle between the two.Verstappen complains on radio, claiming Hamilton forced him off. Race stewards take note. Charles Leclerc has struggled with pace and sits in fifth with Aussie Piastri in sixth. 11.14pmMutiple retirements as cars overheat By Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are both out of the Austrian Grand Prix – marking a double retirement for Cadillac. 11.07pmPiastri passes his teammate; Lawson’s car ‘on fire’By Hannah KennellyThat’s a strong start for Aussie Oscar Piastri who has climbed up to sixth place, overtaking his teammate Lando Norris. Oh dear, we’ve just heard a snippet of Kiwi Liam Lawson’s radio. Liam Lawson before today’s race. Getty Images“I’ve got a fire in my car,” the driver warns over the radio. Moments later we here from Cadillac’s Sergio Perez who says “I’ve got a lot of smoke in the cockpit.11.04pmLights out and we’re racing By Hannah KennellyLights out and away we go. Pole-sitter George Russell has a decent start and holds first position into the first corner. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc lunge towards the Mercedes, but are unable to overtake. Mercedes driver George Russell leads the Austrian GP AP Photo/Darko BandicMeanwhile, Kimi Antonelli has also tried to get ahead, but has failed. The youngster has gone off the track three times within the first two laps. Most drivers have opted for mediums, except for Bortoleto and Sainz whop have gone for the soft compound tyres. 10.57pmOngoing brake issues for Lando Norris By That’s not an ideal start for Lando Norris. The 2025 world champion appears to be having issues with his brakes during the starting lap.McLaren engineers have been working quickly to try and fix it. 1 of 2