After a long coronavirus-induced break, Formula 1 finally returns to action with the Austrian Grand Prix on 5 July. Here’s how and when you can watch the race.
From a heavily reshaped race calendar to a rules overhaul, F1 returns to action at the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix held without fans and with extensive COVID-19 protocols in place.
As F1 has seen the likes of NASCAR and IndyCar restart in the United States, plus major football leagues across Europe, the first international championship is gearing up for its own restart project.
The Austrian GP begins an initial run of eight races across 10 weeks, with both the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, hosting two races in an effort to bolster the F1 race calendar amid the series of cancellations and ongoing postponements.
The action starts this weekend, albeit behind closed doors, as F1 adapts to its new normality following its three-month layoff for the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the new procedures will take getting use to, F1 teams will also be heading into a relative unknown with the majority of squads pushing on with their respective planned upgrades that were in place for the original schedule.
In qualifying for the Austrian GP, Mercedes claimed a front row lockout, with Valtteri Bottas on pole position ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was Mercedes’ closest challenger in third, while Lando Norris will line up fourth on the grid for McLaren.
When is the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix?
• Date: Sunday 5th July 2020
• Start time: 3:10pm CET, 2:10pm BST
How can I watch the Austrian Grand Prix?
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports have exclusive live broadcasting rights, with Channel 4 showing highlights. The race will be shown live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage starting at 1:00pm BST, with Channel 4 showing race highlights at 6:30pm BST.
Weather forecast for the Austrian Grand Prix
Expect a cloudy sky over the Red Bull Ring on race day, with chances of rain currently pegged at 20%.