Lewis Hamilton has avoided a grid penalty for today’s sprint race in Austria – but will drive the spare car following his crash in qualifying. However, Hamilton’s power unit has been salvaged and he will start from ninth on the grid for today’s 24-lap dash to the chequered flag. George Russell also has a new gearbox after he crashed out at the final corner, and remains in his starting slot of fourth. Hamilton’s mechanics were still getting his car ready when final practice started at 12:30pm local time. Saturday’s sprint race, which determines the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, starts at 3:30pm UK time.

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