Jack Leslie F1: 2016 Austrian Grand Prix In Pictures

The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, is one of the most stunningly located tracks on the Formula 1 calendar and boasts stunning views.

Lewis Hamilton took a dramatic victory at the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix. Here is a look at the eventful race weekend in images.

Friday

Nico Rosberg set the fastest time in opening practice for the Austrian GP, finishing three tenths clear of Hamilton.

Max Verstappen lost time in the session after damaging his car on the new exit kerbs, brought in to stop drivers gaining time by running wide.

The Red Bull Ring's undulating nature produces some brilliant photos and backdrops, with the entry to Turn 2 being just one of the many great spots at the circuit.

Rosberg remained quickest in the rain-hit second practice session on Friday, which disrupted running in the afternoon.

Felipe Massa was one of the many drivers to take to the track's run-off areas in the tricky 90-minute session.

Saturday

Sebastian Vettel moved to the front in Saturday morning's third practice session, leading team-mate Kimi Raikkonen by one tenth.

The biggest headline from FP3 was the suspension failure suffered by Rosberg, which pitched him into the wall at the exit of the second corner.

Sparks are kicked up by one of the Renault cars during qualifying for round nine of the 2016 season.

A suspension failure at Turn 8 pitched Daniil Kvyat into the barrier in Q1, causing him to drop out in the first segment. Kevin Magnussen, Jolyon Palmer, Rio Haryanto, Kvyat, Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr were all eliminated.

Pascal Wehrlein was one of the stars of qualifying, going 12th fastest in the rain-hit Q2 - behind Esteban Gutierrez and ahead of Romain Grosjean, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Sergio Perez.

Jenson Button was a surprise runner in Q3 and went on to set the fifth best time in changeable conditions, which turned into third with penalties. He was quicker than Raikkonen, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Verstappen and Massa.

Hamilton claimed pole position, with Rosberg second and Hulkenberg third. Vettel was fourth but both the Ferrari driver and Rosberg were given penalties for gearbox changes.

Sunday

Kvyat was probably glad he didn't have to lederhosen for the F1 drivers' parade prior to the race.

There was a late scare prior to the start when Wehrlein lined up in the wrong grid spot and had to reverse back to his correct position prior to lights out.

Hamilton had a strong start, with Button moving up to second and Hulkenberg losing several positions.

The racing was typically frenetic in the early stages, with Hulkenberg losing further ground and Hamilton establishing a comfortable lead.

Massa and Gutierrez were two drivers who lost several places on lap one, while Alonso and Grosjean battled for position.

Ricciardo quickly lost out to Verstappen in the early stages, with the Dutchman putting in a cheeky move at Turn 8 which included a brief run off track.

Hamilton quickly moved off into the distance, with Raikkonen being held up by Button before finally finding a way through.

Kvyat was an early retirement with a mechanical issue, bringing his difficult weekend to an early end.

Vettel's race came to a dramatic conclusion when his right-rear tyre failed on the main straight and he hit the inside wall, bringing out the safety car.

The long straights and slow corners of the Red Bull Ring produced some brilliant racing and on-track action.

Ricciardo lost ground as the race progressed, while Verstappen moved up the order to a podium finish.

Rosberg took over the lead after the opening round of stops and went head-to-head with his team-mate for the win, but it ended with a last-lap collision.

Hamilton crossed the line to win his third race of the season, following the final lap pass and contact with Rosberg.

Verstappen and Raikkonen took advantage of the late drama to finish second and third, with Rosberg fourth despite a penalty.

4 July 2016

2016 Austrian Grand Prix In Pictures

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