F1 2025 Austrian Grand Prix Live: Hamilton-Verstappen Showdown, Start Time, Grid & How to Watch

The battle for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship reaches full throttle today at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris will launch from pole position after a scintillating qualifying lap at the Red Bull Ring that left Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri in his wake. Race day essentials • Lights-out time: 14:00 local (12:00 UTC) over 71 laps of the 4.326 km Spielberg circuit, famed for its elevation changes and three DRS zones that reward late-braking overtakes. • Starting grid (top 10): Norris (McLaren), Leclerc (Ferrari), Piastri (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), George Russell (Mercedes), Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Sergio Perez (Red Bull), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin). • Live coverage: Sky Sports F1 (UK), ESPN (US), F1 TV Pro worldwide; most broadcasters go on-air one hour before the start. Why this race matters Red Bull’s home round has historically been Verstappen territory, yet the Dutchman lines up only seventh after a scrappy Q3, putting his 18-point championship lead under direct threat from the resurgent McLarens. Norris’ first pole of the season also marks McLaren’s best chance to end a victory drought that stretches back to the 2023 Singapore GP. Ferrari, meanwhile, arrive with a new floor that has slashed their deficit on medium-speed corners—Leclerc will be desperate to convert a front-row start into his first win of 2025. Tyre and strategy outlook Pirelli’s C3/C4/C5 range returns soft-heavy, and with track temps forecast above 35 °C, a two-stop (Soft-Medium-Soft) is projected to be fastest. Crucially, the pit-lane delta is a short 20 s, encouraging aggressive undercuts—particularly for Verstappen and Perez as they slice through midfield traffic. A late-race Safety Car is common here, so teams are banking an extra set of softs for a sprint finish. Key storylines to watch 1. Norris vs. Leclerc drag race to Turn 1: The McLaren’s top-speed advantage (6 km/h higher in the speed trap) could prove decisive on the 690 m run uphill. 2. Verstappen’s recovery: With Dutch fans painting the hills orange, the reigning champion must avoid first-lap chaos and deploy Red Bull’s superior traction out of Turn 3 to climb the order. 3. Mercedes upgrades: A re-profiled sidepod and beam wing propelled Hamilton to P4; race pace will reveal if the silver arrows can finally fight for a podium on merit. 4. Alpine renaissance: Gasly’s best start of the year comes after a weight-saving chassis tweak—points are suddenly realistic for the Enstone squad. Weather update Early-morning showers gave way to clear skies, but a 30 % chance of rain lingers for the final 20 laps, which could flip strategy on its head. Teams have inters pre-heated in the garage just in case. Championship picture before lights-out Drivers: 1) Verstappen 152 pts, 2) Leclerc 134, 3) Norris 128, 4) Sainz 111, 5) Hamilton 97. Constructors: 1) Red Bull 263, 2) Ferrari 245, 3) McLaren 230, 4) Mercedes 186. How to follow online Fans can stream live timing, driver radio and onboard cameras via F1 TV Pro, while official F1 social channels push mini-sector updates and 360° replays throughout the race. For commentary, BBC Radio 5 Live and SiriusXM will simulcast from five minutes before formation-lap. Bottom line With Norris eyeing a maiden Austrian victory, Ferrari hunting redemption, and Verstappen plotting a trademark charge, the Styrian hills are primed for a classic. Expect tyre tactics, potential weather drama and overtakes aplenty—this could be the weekend that transforms the 2025 championship narrative.