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Why is it called the Styrian Grand Prix? Weather forecast, start times and how to watch F1 this weekend

The Red Bull Ring stages the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend: Getty
The Red Bull Ring stages the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend: Getty

The inaugural Styrian Grand Prix will host the second round of the 2020 Formula One season at the Red Bull Ring, but why has the name changed from the Austrian Grand Prix?

The reshuffled F1 calendar has seen Austria host the two opening races of the season, which will be one of at least two double-headers staged in an effort to make up the number of Grands Prix this year following the coronavirus pandemic.

Silverstone will host the other confirmed double-header in rounds four and five, but there are likely to be more with both Bahrain and Abu Dhabi informing F1 that they are prepared to stage similar back-to-back events at the end of the season.

F1 has elected to make the names of each race different though in an attempt to separate each race, meaning there will be no repeat of the Austrian Grand Prix that started the season last weekend - even though this weekend’s official F1 hashtag remains #AustrianGP.

Instead, it will be called the Styrian Grand Prix, while the official name of the race will be the Formula 1 Pirelli Grosser Preis Der Steiermark.

Why is it called the Styrian Grand Prix?

The Red Bull Ring is based on the outskirts of the city of Spielburg, which is located in the southern Austrian state of Styria. The region is known for its mountainous and forested terrain, which will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Red Bull Ring as it is surrounded by the Schonberg hills.

What is the weather forecast?

FRIDAY, JULY 10 - FP1 & FP2 WEATHER

Conditions: Cloudy with thunderstorms

Maximum temperature expected: 30 Celsius

Chance of rain: 50 per cent

SATURDAY, JULY 11 - FP3 & QUALIFYING WEATHER

Conditions: Cloudy with thunderstorms and a chance of rain

Maximum temperature expected: 16 Celsius

Chance of rain: 60 per cent

SUNDAY, JULY 12 - RACE WEATHER

Conditions: Partly cloudy

Maximum temperature expected: 24 Celsius

Chance of rain: 50 per cent

How can I watch it?

All European races will be held behind closed doors, meaning that the only way fans will be able to see the action is on television.

In the UK, Sky Sports continue to hold the exclusive rights for F1, with Channel 4 only able to show the British Grand Prix later in the year.

If you’re not a Sky customer you can purchase a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

How to watch the Styrian Grand Prix:

FRIDAY

Free practice 1: 9:30am – 11:50am BST – (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event)

Free practice 2: 1:45pm – 3:45pm BST (Sky Sports F1 + Sky Sports Main Event)

SATURDAY

Free practice 3: 10:45am – 12:15pm BST (Sky Sports F1)

Qualifying: 1:30pm – 3:30pm BST (Sky Sports F1), highlights on Channel 4 from 6:30pm

SUNDAY

Race: 12:30pm – 5pm BST (Sky Sports F1), highlights on Channel 4 from 6:30pm

When is it?

The Styrian Grand Prix takes place across 10-12 July 2020.

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

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