Austrian Grand Prix: Verstappen targets success in Red Bull stronghold

F1 Austrian Grand Prix
Sunday July 10, 14:00
Sky Sports F1

Last Sunday had it all as the British Grand Prix delivered an absolute classic. From dramatic collisions - from which the drivers thankfully escaped unscathed - to a thrilling battle between Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes and a maiden F1 win for Carlos Sainz.

It was yet another intense instalment in this fascinating season of which we've now reached the halfway stage, as we now head to the Red Bull Ring in Austria for more drama this weekend.

All three of the top teams were in contention of winning at Silverstone, but damage to cars, questionable strategic calls and the intervention of a late Safety Car all helped rip up the script and set the stage for a real spectacle.

Given the characteristics of the track in Spielberg, coupled with how this year's regulations and cars enhance the ability to stick with each other over thrilling extended battles, we should see the drivers going at each other again this weekend in more wheel-to-wheel encounters.

Verstappen back on favoured territory

Max Verstappen continues to lead the way in the Drivers' standings, as he remains comfortably ahead of his rivals with teammate Sergio Perez trailing him by 34 points.

With the Sprint race forming part of the schedule this weekend in Austria, the reigning champion dominated this format last time out in Imola, taking first place in both Saturday and Sunday races along with the fastest lap.

Looking specifically at this track, he has won three of the last four races here, and so with it being a Red Bull stronghold combined with the Dutchman being motivated to bounce back from his disappointment last weekend, he'll be right up for this one.

He's unsurprisingly the favourite to win the Austrian Grand Prix at 1.84/5, and while this season seems to throw up plenty of surprises - and many a costly retirement every race with the tips in mind - he's the smart option on Sunday.

Hamilton building momentum

After a difficult start to the season, Lewis Hamilton is now starting to put things together and has back-to-back podium finishes.

Mercedes know that the W13 is still far from being at optimal performance, but there were signs at Silverstone that they can now start to match the pace set by Red Bull and Ferrari. Team Principal Toto Wolff is still doing his best to play it down as they tend to struggle more in Austria, but for all their discontent this season, Mercedes are just 61 points behind Ferrari in the Constructors' standings.

A pre-qualifying special that catches the eye sees Verstappen finish on the podium - the minimum expectation for the reigning champion - Hamilton grab a top 6 finish and Charles Leclerc securing a points finish at 2.35/4.

Hamilton has finished in the top six in five out of the last six races, and while Leclerc's frustrations continue to build as he hasn't been able to capitalise on a strong start to the season, Ferrari have at least put their reliability issues behind them in the last two races and will certainly be confident of putting points on the board this weekend.

Four different drivers now have race wins, seven have been on the podium. Sainz will be buoyed by his first victory and so Verstappen, Perez and Leclerc will be looking over their shoulder while Mercedes are ready join the party too.

It all points towards another thrilling weekend of F1 action when the lights go out in Austria...