FIA race director Michael Masi and his team have been praised for how they handled qualifying in tough conditions on Saturday.
As forecast, persistent rain arrived in the Styrian mountains and led to the suspension of the morning's F3 race and the full cancellation of final Formula 1 practice.
But as the weather deteriorated again just before qualifying began, leading to a 46-minute delay, a small window allowed F1 to go ahead with the session despite fears it would be postponed until Sunday.
"I think the FIA took fantastic decisions," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said post-session.
"Michael Masi and his team must be praised because we want to see exciting sessions and in the rain, it's where we can really see talent and driving skills shine.
"It is not only Lewis's unbelievable, out of the world lap but if you look at the grid overall, I really enjoy watching the young ones. [Carlos] Sainz in P3, [Esteban] Ocon in P5, [Lando] Norris right there, [George] Russell in P12 almost making it into Q3.
"This is really what is enjoyable to see and we need these sessions that are different that change the pecking order because it just gives the less quick cars and the better drivers opportunity to shine."
F1's rain-meister Lewis Hamilton capitalised to take pole by 1.2s just as more rain was making the Red Bull Ring close to undriveable.
"The officials definitely have a difficult job the majority of the time, particularly on a day like this knowing when to go and when not to let the cars run," he commented.
"I'm grateful they did. Just as we came to qualifying, it was drying up or wasn't raining for a while, and just as everyone got in the car it started to rain again.
"We obviously had that pause, but once we got going, it was fine for the first session, then it did get worse. It was definitely on the limit, but that's racing.
"I'm glad they didn't take that away from us because today, it's so special being out there, it's so difficult.
"I don't know how it comes across on the cameras, but it is the hardest conditions that we ever drive in.
"Just one small lapse of concentration and you're off, it can be big or small, more chance of it being a big one."
Another driver who shone in the gloom was Renault's Esteban Ocon, who will start from fifth on the grid.
"It was very good that we managed to get some laps and to get qualifying done," he said. "It was safe until the last two or three laps, let's say.
"The rain got heavier at the end of Q3 and started to be difficult as we could see, the F2 delayed, that was pretty normal.
"Overall, (safety car driver) Bernd Maylander and the whole FIA, they did a great job at having a safe track at the right time.
"I think that was very well played and very well executed."
