2020 Austrian Grand Prix: all you need to know, how to watch in the UAE and the rest of the F1 calendar

The Red Bull Ring at Spielberg will host the first two races of the new season

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen on his way to winning the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. AFP 

The abridged 2020 Formula One season gets underway this weekend with the Austrian Grand Prix.

Following the cancellation of several races due to the coronavirus pandemic, this season's championship will be reduced to 13 races.

The Red Bull Ring will host the first two races, with the Styrian GP taking place on July 10-12.

Here's all you need to know about this weekend's race and the rest of the 2020 F1 season.

When is the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix?

The first grand prix of the season takes place from July 3-5.

What are the timings for the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix?

The start times for the Austrian Grand Prix are as follows. All times are UAE:

Practice 1: Friday, July 3, 1pm

Practice 2: Friday, July 3, 6pm

Practice 3: Saturday, July 4, 2pm

Qualifying: Saturday, July 4, 5pm

Race: Sunday, July 5, 5.10pm

Where does the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix take place?

The Red Bull Ring is located in Spielberg in the Bezirk Murtal in Styria. The 4.236km track comprises just nine corners, seven to the right and two to the left, and is dominated by three straights. Simply put it is a low-downforce, engine-dependent track.

Sunday’s race will be run over 71 laps and will take place in front of no fans.

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Ranked: the 20 drivers on the F1 grid

Past winners of the Austrian Grand Prix

Since the race returned to the F1 calendar in 2014, the winners are as follows:

2019: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2018: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2017: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
2016: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2014: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

Track Lap Record: 1:08.337 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari, 2003)

How can I watch the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix in the UAE?

The race will be shown on MBC, the free-to-air television channel.

The Dubai-based group acquired the rights to broadcast the F1 races in the Middle East and North Africa region last year.

2020 Formula One calendar

Austrian Grand Prix: July 3-5

Styrian Grand Prix: July 10-12

Hungarian Grand Prix: July 17-19

British Grand Prix: July 31-August 2

Formula 1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix: August 7-9

Spanish Grand Prix: August 14-16

Belgian Grand Prix: August 28-30

Italian Grand Prix: September 4-6

Russian Grand Prix: September 25-27

United States Grand Prix: October 23-25

Mexican Grand Prix: October 30-November 1

Brazilian Grand Prix: November 13-15

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: November 27-29

History chaser

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton heads into the new F1 season with history on his mind.

The Briton, 35, can equal German legend Michael Schumacher's record of seven drivers' titles if he is crowned champion at the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 29.