Teams and drivers are getting set to head back out to the Red Bull Ring this weekend for the Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen dominated last weekend’s race at the same venue.
The Spielberg-based circuit was the site of a doubleheader in 2020 and this year is no different as teams prepare for their second outing here in just two weeks.
Following Round eight, Red Bull remains in the lead of the Constructor’s Standings with 252 points, while their Dutch driver Max Verstappen holds onto his #1 position in the Driver’s Standings for another week with 152.
Mercedes have even more catching up to do this weekend after Red Bull proved to be the faster contender at the Styrian Grand Prix, and with so little time to make any changes, it will be interesting to see what the silver arrows come up with in their bid to catch the charging bulls.
They are now 40 points off the top spot in the Constructor’s Standings, while Lewis Hamilton is now 18 points behind Verstappen heading into Round nine.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, with proceedings kicking off on July 2:
The Circuit
The Red Bull Ring first hosted an F1 race back in 1970 and features 10 corners and three DRS zone.
The circuit was founded as Österreichring and hosted the Austrian Grand Prix for 18 consecutive seasons, from 1970 to 1987.
It was later shortened, rebuilt, and renamed the A1-Ring, and it hosted the Austrian Grand Prix again from 1997 to 2003.
It has been known as the Red Bull Ring since being renamed in 2014 when it returned to the calendar after being updated to suit modern F1 cars.
Sunday’s battle will see drivers race over 71 laps of the 4.318km track.
It will run across 306.452 km from lights out to chequered flag, with top speeds of 327km/hr expected.
In the Austrian Grand Prix’s history, the McLaren and Ferrari teams have been equally successful here with 6 wins under their belt – while Alain Prost remains the most successful Austrian GP pilot with 3 victories.
The weather
Forecasts for the weekend at the Red Bull Ring are set to remain relatively clear on Friday and Saturday, however rain is expected on race day.
Friday’s probability of rain is at 25% with temperatures of 22C.
Saturday will likely remain dry as well with plenty of cloud cover and temperatures hitting 25C and a 25% chance of rain.
Current predictions show a likelihood of rain for this weekend’s race with forecasters predicting a 59% chance with temperatures of 24C.
When/ Where to Watch
Free practice 1 will take place on Friday in Austria, July 2 at 10:30 am Irish time, with FP2 kicking off just hours later at 2:00 pm.
FP3 begins on Saturday, July 3, at 11:00 am GMT and will be followed by Qualifying at 2:00 pm.
For the big day on Sunday, coverage will be on Sky and NOW with lights out at 2:00 pm.
You can catch live coverage of the entire 2021 season, every weekend on Sky Sports F1, or grab a NOW sports package.
