The Styrian Grand Prix free practice sessions will kick off this Friday, and things are looking pretty exciting for all the teams returning to the same track.
This weekend will be the first time that Formula 1 will return to the same track back-to-back. The first weekend showed just how much action is packed this year. Teams will have so much data on hand that they can build on. As such, the Styrian Grand Prix sets up to be another race for the books in Formula 1 history.
Below are three key headlines to look out for in this weekend’s race.
Styrian Grand Prix favorites
This weekend’s race will just be a renamed Austrian Grand Prix. Everything else from the track, paddocks, and teams are the same. Mercedes are still the favorites to finish at the podium. However, last week showed just how much potential all the rest of the teams have.
Mercedes will still first have to fix their car issues following their late-race scare last weekend. Both Hamilton and Bottas were asked to take care of their cars and avoid the kerbs, which could have cost them the race. Also, Hamilton will have a target on his back following his crash with Alexander Albon of Red Bull.
Red Bull’s revenge
With only ten laps left in the race, Alexander Albon attempted to overtake Hamilton to take P2. Unfortunately, the Mercedes driver crashed with Albon causing the latter to spin and not finish the race. Hamilton was eventually given a five-second penalty, which still landed him on P4.
Albon was heard via the team’s radio, saying that Hamilton was such a sore loser. Albon already had a clear overtake on Hamilton, but the latter just acknowledged his mistake. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wasn’t livid with anger. However, he said it would have been good if the six-time World Champion gave an apology to the young Red Bull racer.
Max Verstappen, on the other hand, looks to redeem his winning way after having been forced to retire his car early last week.
Will Lando Norris make a repeat?
The biggest surprise last weekend was Lando Norris‘ maiden podium at P3. The young racer from McLaren showed promise by earning the race’s fastest lap overall. The pressure on him will be heavy, considering his performance last week. Be that as it may, the expectations for the team are still the same.
The goal for this year is still to close the gap between them and the top three teams in the Constructors’ championship.
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