George Russell will start the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position after a dramatic qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring on Saturday. The Mercedes driver set the fastest time, but the session was marked by a crash for Max Verstappen, which brought out yellow flags.
Russell's lap time was set under yellow flags following Verstappen's accident, but the stewards decided not to investigate the incident, allowing Russell to keep his pole position. This marks Russell's first pole of the 2026 season and a significant boost for Mercedes.
The race is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 15:00 local time. The weather forecast for the race day predicts sunny conditions with a high of 24°C, with no rain expected, which should provide ideal conditions for the race.
Verstappen, who crashed during qualifying, will start from the back of the grid after his Red Bull car sustained significant damage. The Dutch driver is expected to fight through the field, but the challenge will be steep against a strong field.
