Follow the latest updates live from the first qualifying session of the Formula One season at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton has dominated all three practice sessions so far this weekend, topping the timesheets on each occasion with Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in close company. However, much of the attention will be on the DAS system that the reigning world champions have used this weekend, which has been approved by the FIA for use despite a protest from rivals Red Bull.
Ferrari look to have found some pace in their car, while dark horses Racing Point could find themselves involved at the business end of the grid after showing a promising pace in practice. However, it will need to be a swift turnaround for the Williams mechanics, with rookie Nicholas Latifi crashing in third practice this morning that leaves the struggling team facing a rapid rebuild to make it in time for qualifying. The action begins at 2pm with all the live updates below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, which gets underway in an hour's time.
2020 may be the most disrupted season in Formula One history, but some things remain the same and sight of a Lewis Hamilton-driven Mercedes at the top of the timesheets came as no surprise to anyone.
The six-time world champion believes Mercedes have developed a car that is noticeably stronger than last season's championship-winning model, which will not be welcome listening to their rivals. Both Ferrari and Red Bull do at least look to have some pace beneath them, but whether they can challenge the newly-designed black Mercs remains to be seen.
But, after more than seven long months, how great is it to say that in 45 minutes time, it's green, green, green and Formula One returns. It's been a long wait...
It's been a frantic afternoon already for Williams, who are busy piecing the front end together on Nicolas Latifi's car after this shunt in the middle of third practice.
It's exactly what you don't want in your maiden GP weekend, with the Canadian replacing Robert Kubica this season as Williams look to get off the back of the grid.
The early positive for the Grove-based team though is that George Russell showed a fair amount of pace in third practice, ending the session in 15th ahead of both the Alpha Tauri's, and could we see a Williams emerge from Q1 for the first time in more than a season?
What is DAS?
No, it's not a German cliche, but the Dual-Axis Steering (DAS) System that triggered a protest from Red Bull, which was rejected late last night by the FIA stewards.
Following a six-hour stewards' investigation, the FIA gave Mercedes the green light to continue using their controversial DAS system, priming Hamilton as the favourite to win Sunday's race. The mechanism allows both Hamilton and Bottas to adjust the distance of their steering wheel while racing at full speed, which in turn slightly adjusts the angle of the front tyres to increase tyre temperature while protecting the rear tyres.
Social distancing?
There are strict social distancing protocols in force in order to get the Austrian Grand Prix up and running following the coronavirus pandemic, with all team personnel to wear face masks at all times and maintain their space where possible ... which is why this image of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel speaking with Red Bull's Christian Horner and Helmut Marko has caused a but of controversy.
No masks, no distancing.
Regardless, there was good news this morning as the initial 4,032 coronavirus tests taken over the last week have ALL come back negative.
Here we go!
Qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix is underway!
Early drama in the Mercedes garage, though it looks like its crisis averted after a hydraulic leak was located at the back of Valtteri Bottas's car. The team are confident they've repaired it in time for the start of the session though, and we have cars straight out on track in the form of Nicolas Latifi's Williams, meaning the repairs from third practice have been completed in good time.
Qualifying 1
Giovinazzi sets the benchmark with a 1:05.478.
Qualifying 1
It's a promising first lap from George Russell, and while he can't go any faster than the two Alfa Romeos, he is only 0.114s off the time set by Giovinazzi.
Anyway, here come the two Racing Points, and Stroll sets the first 1:04 of the day.
Qualifying 1
Verstappen gets his first lap in, but it's a not-too-impressive 1:04.356 that while it puts him top of the times is likely to be beaten by the two Mercs.
Russell meanwhile does improve and forces his way in front of Raikkonen and Grosjean!
Qualifying 1
Bottas puts in a rather underwhelming lap that only puts him fourth, while Norris meanwhile is flying out there with the fastest first sector of all. His McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz takes second with a lovely effort, and Norris has to make do with sixth due to a sloppy remainder of the lap.
Qualifying 1
Hamilton makes an error on his first flying lap and is way down in 14th place, 0.745s off the fastest time of Verstappen. He's got plenty of work to do there.
Qualifying 1
That's better from Hamilton, but it's still not enough for tough spot as the reigning champion is 0.1s off Verstappen. Time for a breather, but with 3:45 left in the session the final runs are not far away.
Qualifying 1
Who needs to improve to avoid dropping out of qualifying? Giovinazzi, Raikkonen, Magnussen, Grosjean and Latifi are all currently in the bottom five.
Qualifying 1
There's a new fastest time ... from Lance Stroll! the man who so regularly struggle with qualifying has just posted a 1:04.309 and that's the benchmark.
Qualifying 1
Raikkonen fails to improve! Ricciardo has a moment right in front of him, and it costs him the precious time that will leave him down in 19th position. Grosjean and Magnussen do improve though, and that relegates Russell down to 17th and the Williams will not make it out sadly.
Out of qualifying
16. Magnussen
17. Russell
18. Giovinazzi
19. Raikkonen
20. Latifi
Qualifying 1
That's a massive disappointment for Alfa Romeo, with both of their drivers beaten by the Williams of George Russell that suggests not only have Williams improved, but Alfa have slipped back down the grid. The battle to be off the back row of the grid looks like a much closer one this year.
Qualifying 2
Green light! Q2 is underway.
Qualifying 2
Mercedes have turned it up, and Hamilton delivers a 1:03.325 with Bottas two tenths off. Red Bull have tried out the medium tyres, but he's way off the pace in eighth and that will have to be aborted pretty sharpish. While the Mercs are flying, Ferrari are really struggling, with Leclerc down in seventh and Vettel 10th!
Qualifying 2
Verstappen goes for a second lap on the mediums and it's a slight improvement up to sixth. Here's how they stand at the midway point:
1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Norris
4. Stroll
5. Perez
6. Verstappen
7. Ricciardo
8. Leclerc
9. Sainz
10. Vettel
Drop-zone
11. Gasly
12. Kvyat
13. Albon
14. Ocon
15. Grosjean
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
