Motor Racing
Austrian Grand Prix preview
Last time out at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, we saw Max Verstappen back up his Montreal win with another victory. It was an enthralling race where Lando Norris started on pole, with a great battle into Turn One which saw George Russell go round the outside of both Verstappen and Norris.
The result was all too like what we’ve become accustomed to seeing with Verstappen topping the podium, but there are lots of drivers and teams who will come out of the Spanish Grand Prix enthused.
Bet on the Austrian Grand Prix with William Hill
Red Bull Ring overview
It’s the eleventh race week of the season and we head to Austria to the famous Red Bull Ring. First hosting a Grand Prix in 1970, it’s a slightly shorter circuit than most, but the drivers won’t lose out with a lot still packed into a short lap. Beginning with three straights, power will be rewarded as the drivers will blast through a sharp right hander into Sector Two, which contains a series of tighter, intricate corners where more precise driving is required. However, increased power is likely the order of the day here with such a long straight at the start of each lap, which will provide the best overtaking opportunities throughout the race.
Max Verstappen, the winner of five Austrian Grand Prix’s, was the victor of last year’s renewal and he is the 4/7 market leader to repeat that feat and make it number six at the Red Bull Ring.
The sprint qualifying race
The Austrian Grand Prix sees the return of the Sprint Qualifying race, which will make up the order of the grid for Sunday’s race. Verstappen is 4/7 to win the sprint, with Lando Norris at 5/2 to overturn the Dutchman and it’s hard to see past Verstappen in this short format round a circuit he’s won five times at, with the nature of the track to suit.
Drivers and teams to look out for
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen is now 69 points clear at the top of the championship and the current 1/16 favourite. The nature of Red Bull Ring suits the Red Bull car very well being a serious force along straights and caters towards the aggressive driving style of Max Verstappen. Even if he doesn’t qualify first, the ground he will make up in Sector One will make him very dangerous if in front or behind and the 4/7 for him to win here appeals.
McLaren’s Lando Norris follows in the winner market at 9/4 and he has to be disappointed about the result of the Spanish GP but will be seriously enthused about the McLaren car going forward. The Brit started on pole but was third coming out of Turn One with his pace rival Verstappen crucially in front of him and quickly overtaking George Russell, this allowed the Dutchman to dictate with Norris stuck behind the Mercedes. Despite this, Norris was able to keep tabs on Verstappen and run him close in a McLaren which looked as fast, if not quicker, than the Red Bull. When Russell pitted seeing Norris pass him, Lando really upped the ante closing to Verstappen and just failed and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go one better this weekend.
Mercedes were one of the big winners of the Spanish Grand Prix, seeing George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing in third and fourth. Whilst this still isn’t the level that we have seen from the Merc in recent seasons, this is back-to-back third-fourth finishes, and we may be about to see a resurgence here. Russell led the race briefly, leapfrogging from fourth to first on the first corner, a brilliant overtake which shows the confidence of the driver and that the upgrades on the car are working. Hamilton also made a good overtake on Carlos Sainz, a key moment in seeing the seven-time World Champion get back on the podium for the first time in over six months. They are on a positive trajectory and could go one better here, the 8/1 for both Mercedes drivers to finish on the podium looks good value.
