(Spielberg) Who can prevent a Red Bull triumph at home? The Austrian team, which has crushed the competition since the start of the F1 season, will be difficult to disrupt this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix, the ninth round of the season which will mark the return of sprint racing.
Eight races, eight victories: the record of the team led by Christian Horner speaks for itself and nothing seems to be able to prevent it from achieving another success on the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
Max Verstappen, double reigning world champion, has won the last four races and will aim for the pass of five on a track where he has already won four times in F1 (three Austrian GPs and a Styrian GP).
“I hope we can put on a great show for the fans present to support us. We are always happy to come back here, where I have already achieved very good results, and I will try to add a new trophy to the team’s collection,” said the Dutchman.
The main question will be whether his team-mate Sergio Pérez can raise the bar after three disappointing events to offer another double for Red Bull, after the three achieved in the first four Grands Prix of the year.
“I’m always impressed to see the amount of Mexican supporters who make the trip. But I will have to concentrate on the track, because I know how important it is for me to be consistent this weekend and to get a good result, which I am capable of”, underlined the Mexican.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Sergio Perez
The second sprint of the season after Azerbaijan at the end of April will change the course of the weekend and could bring a little more spice to a season that has been rather lackluster until now.
“It will be the second sprint of the season, they are always more eventful than the normal races. The weather seems quite unpredictable which could also be a game changer,” predicted the Dutchman.
Mercedes and Aston Martin on the prowl
Even if Mercedes and Aston Martin have slightly closed the gap on the untouchable RB19 thanks to the addition of new features to their single-seaters in recent weeks, the domination of Red Bull, which won the 100e victory in its history in F1 at the last Grand Prix in Canada, should continue in Styria. However, the two teams remain on the lookout for the slightest failure of the reigning world champions.
“It was great to get back on the podium in Canada. The improvements made to the car seemed to work well and we will continue to optimize the settings in Austria, where we will try to score as many points as possible to regain second place in the constructors’ championship,” explained veteran Spanish Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).
Mercedes, on the upward slope for three races, intends to defend its place of dolphin in the Alps thanks in particular to its seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who won twice at Spielberg in ten participations.
“Even though both of our cars didn’t finish the race, the podium in Canada was a good result and we saw some encouraging signs for our updates to the car. We will try to build on the momentum of the last two races to continue our positive trajectory,” said Austrian Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who will also be at home.
The Ferraris, who made a great comeback in Montreal by finishing in 4e and 5e places after starting in 10e and 11e position, will also try to continue their recovery on a circuit where the Monegasque Charles Leclerc won last year.
Alpine, which announced Monday the arrival of new American shareholders who paid 200 million euros to afford 24% of the team’s capital, will want to bounce back after a frustrating Canadian weekend.
“We will have opportunities this weekend with the sprint format. These are two qualifying sessions and two races where we will have to be present from the first lap. We have a taste of unfinished business after our disappointment in Baku, the first sprint of the season, and I am ready to remedy that in Austria, ”announced Pierre Gasly, only 12e to Montreal.