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Max Verstappen has two attempts to equal Alain Prost’s record of three wins in Austria as Formula 1 tackles the Red Bull Ring in back-to-back weekends.
The 4.318km Red Bull Ring is located in Spielberg, the heart of Austrian racing. A lot can be expected around the track as it is the shortest on the modern-day F1 calendar.
The first half rewards power as the cars blast down three long straights separated by a sequence of uphill right-handers. Then they work their way downhill as the cars canyon through a series of quick corners, including the exhilarating high-speed right-hander before completing a lap.
The A1-Ring, as it was previously called, opened in 1996 before Formula 1 arrived at the circuit one year later. Jacques Villeneuve won the first-ever Austrian Grand Prix while Jean Alesi’s teammate Gerhard Berger used his home race as an opportunity to announce his retirement from Formula 1.
In 2020, after a delayed start to the season, F1 returned during the summer and completed back-to-back races in Austria due to COVID-19.
Last time out in Circuit Paul Ricard, Max Verstappen claimed victory with a superb two-stop strategy as he got redemption on Lewis Hamilton after Barcelona earlier in the year. After noticing the degradation was a lot higher than expected, Red Bull made the move and fitted a new set of medium tyres while Hamilton opted to go to the end on his set of hard tyres.
It’s safe to say, it wasn’t easy. Verstappen made the move with two laps to go as he also passed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez before he overtook Hamilton. The seven-time world champion managed to finish second as Red Bull claimed three consecutive wins for the first time since 2013.
Perez rounded out the podium as the tyre preservation king came to fruition again. He extended his first stint on the medium compound to ensure his hard tyres were superior to everyone else around him at the end of the race.
Top 10 Prediction
1. Max Verstappen
After his various success around Austria and the lift it will bring Red Bull returning to their home Grand Prix, it’s hard to look away from Championship leader Max Verstappen. It will be vital to breakaway from the DRS range as soon as possible with Mercedes inevitably opting for a low-downforce setup.
2. Lewis Hamilton
Despite looking a little off the pace in qualifying, the Silver Arrows come into their own within the race when the tyres are up to temperature. He’s a seven-time world champion for a reason and Hamilton will no doubt have a fight on his hands this weekend yet again.
3. Sergio Perez
After his win in Baku, backed up by a solid performance in France, Sergio Perez will be looking to make it three podiums in a row. He got the better of Bottas last weekend and that is a key fight to look out for again. The closer the Mexican can get to Hamilton, the better for his Red Bull teammate.
4. Pierre Gasly
Gasly has been one of the stand-out performers this season with a solid AlphaTauri underneath him all season. His race pace has been the best of the bunch, which is where he normally gains on the likes of Ferrari. Knowing the success of Red Bull in Austria it wouldn’t be a surprise for the sister team to claim the best of the rest.
5. Lando Norris
Norris is the only driver on the grid to have scored points in every race this season. He has stepped up this year leading the team forward and without him, McLaren could be in a bit of trouble. It’s a strong track for the Brit after his podium last year, another strong performance is expected with his new Mercedes engine.
6.Charles Leclerc
After a disappointing weekend in France, it was highlighted yet again that the Ferrari car is significantly better in qualifying, especially when tyre degradation is an issue. The Red Bull Ring should not suit their car with several long straights with their engine and it could be damage limitation for the Italian team.
7. Daniel Ricciardo
It was an impressive display last time out by the Australian as he battled for fifth place throughout the French Grand Prix before teammate Norris overtook him. He did though beat rivals Ferrari and contributed to what was a strong weekend for McLaren.
8. Sebastian Vettel
Arguably the best driver in recent races, Vettel is driving with a smile on his face yet again after a sour ending to his time at Ferrari. He’s dragging his team into fifth-best in the constructors so far, and given his experience as well as Aston Martin’s strengths, it could be another points finish for the German.
9. Carlos Sainz
As previously touched upon, Ferrari could endure yet another poor weekend with rivals ahead of them. It could swing another way, as they excelled in Baku and Monaco but expectations need to be played down this weekend.
10. Fernando Alonso
Alonso has slowly got to grips with the Alpine car, scoring points last time out at their home Grand Prix. Let’s hope it’s for good now as he has enjoyed being back in F1 and results are starting to show. A point wouldn’t be bad for Alpine or Alonso this weekend.
