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Austrian Grand Prix 2020: What time does the F1 race start today, what TV channel is it on and what are the odds?

Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas steers his car during the qualifying round at the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix on July 4, 2020 in Spielberg, Austria. - Seven months after they last competed in earnest, the Formula One circus will push a post-lockdown re-set button to open the 2020 season in Austria on July 5 - LEONHARD FOEGER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

What is it?

The 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, the belated start of the Formula One season, which takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

When is it?

The first two free practice sessions were on Friday July 3, with final practice and qualifying on Saturday July 4. The Austrian Grand Prix itself is on Sunday July 5.

What time does it start?

The Grand Prix starts at the now customary time of 2.10pm BST on Sunday.

What TV channel is it on?

Sky Sports F1 have exclusive coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few. Their qualifying program starts at 1.30pm, with race coverage on Sunday at 1pm.

Channel 4 also have highlights this season, and their qualifying coverage starts at 6.45pm on Saturday, with race highlights at 6.30pm on Sunday.

You can also keep up to date throughout the race with Luke Slater right here at Telegraph Sport.

Watch the Austrian Grand Prix through Now TV for £9.99.

What happened in qualifying?

It was another tale of Mercedes, dominance, with Valtteri Bottas pipping his team-mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position, ahead of Max Verstappen. Ferrari struggled more than they ever have done, qualifying in a lowly seventh and 11th, Sebastian Vettel being eliminated in Q1.

Qualifying top 10

  1. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 02.939secs

  2. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:02.951

  3. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:03.477

  4. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:03.626

  5. Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 1:03.868

  6. Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:03.868

  7. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:03.923

  8. Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:03.971

  9. Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:04.029

  10. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:04.239

What do we know about the Red Bull Ring?

  • Circuit length:  4.318km

  • First grand prix:  1970 (as the Osterreichring)

  • Laps: 71

  • Race distance: 306.452km

  • Race lap record: 1.06.957 - Kimi Raikkonen, 2018

  • 2019 winner: Max Verstappen, Red Bull

  • Number of corners:  Officially 10 but it's really nine as turn two is a complete non-event

  • Overtaking chances:  Best chances are into the heaviest braking zones on the track, turn one and turn three, both uphill right-handers which have the opportunity for contact if someone misjudges it all.

What are the odds (top seven)?

  • Lewis Hamilton 11/10

  • Valtteri Bottas 13/8

  • Max Verstappen 4/1

  • Sergio Perez 40/1

  • Lando Norris 40/1

  • Alexander Albon 40/1

  • Charles Leclerc 50/1

What was our pre-race prediction?

It's really hard to look beyond Mercedes here, although Red Bull have gone very well at the track which bears their name in the last two years. You'd expect Max Verstappen to be in the mix but Red Bull have been slow starters traditionally. But I think between the two Mercedes and Verstappen. Bottas has taken two pole positions here and the track suits his style, so he may be close to Hamilton on Saturday. I'm backing him to repeat his feat of winning the opening race of 2019 this year, too.

Podium prediction: 1st Bottas 2nd Hamilton 3rd Verstappen