2017 Austrian Grand Prix: preview and timetable. It's back to traditional European times for the race weekend from July 7-9.

Formula One is ready for the ninth round of the 2017 season, as the Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, as the gloves are off in the title fight between Scuderia Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and his main title contender Lewis Hamilton.

The old Osterreichring is no longer usable, but Red Bull has done an excellent job in refurbishing what was the A1 Ring and bringing it back to the calendar. A number of mid and high-speed corners are punctuated by long straights which require good power, especially on the steep climb up to Turn 2. The first three corners all offer overtaking opportunities, before the circuit sweeps down the hill through two left-handers followed by a high-speed change of direction. Disappearing through the trees, the penultimate corner is a real test as an off-camber right before another mid-speed right back onto the pit straight. Simple, short, fast. All in a beautiful setting.

Key figures

Date: 7-9 July 2017
Number of laps: 71
Circuit length: 4.326 km
Race distance: 307.146 km
Lap record: 1:08.337 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2003

It’s back to traditional European times for the race weekend from July 7-9 – with 2pm starts for both Saturday’s Qualifying and Sunday’s race.

2017 Austrian Grand Prix timetable:

THURSDAY
Formula One Press Conference – Press Room 15:00
Formula One 3 Day Ticket Holders Pit Lane Walk Only 15:05 – 18:30

FRIDAY
Formula One Practice 1 10:00 – 11:30
GP2 Series Practice Session 12:00 – 12:45
Formula One Practice 2 14:00 – 15:30
GP2 Series Qualifying Session 15:55 – 16:25
Formula One Press Conference – Press Room 16:00 – 17:00
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice Session 16:45 – 17:30
GP3 Series Practice Session 17:50 – 18:35

SATURDAY
Formula One Team Pit Stop Practice 08:30 – 09:15
GP3 Series Qualifying Session 09:45 – 10:15
Formula One Practice 3 11:00 – 12:00
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Qualifying Session 12:25 – 12:55
Formula One Qualifying 14:00
GP2 Series First Race (40 Laps or 60 Mins) 15:40 – 16:45
GP3 Series First Race (24 Laps or 40 Mins) 17:20 – 18:05

SUNDAY
GP3 Series Second Race (18 Laps or 30 Mins) 09:25 – 10:00
GP2 Series Second Race (28 Laps or 45 Mins) 10:35 – 11:25
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Race (14 Laps or 30 Mins) 11:45 – 12:20
Formula One Drivers Track Parade 12:30
Track Display F1 Legends Parade 12:40
Formula One Starting Grid Presentation 12:45 – 13:15
Air Display The Flying Bulls Air Show 13:00 – 13:15
Formula One National Anthem 13:46
Formula One Race 14:00 (71 Laps or 120 Mins)