Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Prediction: Yet another start from pole position for Verstappen

Austria is very popular among Formula 1 fans and attracts around 200,000 people during the race weekend every year. When everyone retired, the Red Bull Ring saved the season from which many had given up, the pandemic one, unusual and special in all respects. The 2020 season, which only started in July, started for the first time ever with a race for the Austrian Grand Prix. The race was held in front of empty stands, and the second race of the season called the Styrian Grand Prix, was held on the same track. And a year later, the Formula 1 caravan stopped twice in Austria, when Max Verstappen won both races, becoming the first driver to win two consecutive races in the same country, after Damon Hill. Max managed this in one season, while Hill won his two consecutive Australian races in the last race of the 1995 season and the first race of the 1996 season. In 2021, no full grandstands were allowed at any edition of the race in Austria, but then, to be filled to full capacity only in 2022. In March 2023, it was announced that the race organizer had signed a new, four-year contract with Formula 1 to organize the race, which means that we will see the Austrian Grand Prix at least until 2027.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen triumphed in the second sprint race of this year's Formula 1 championship, which was run as part of the Austrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman was the best in the sprint at the "Red Bull Ring" for the second year in a row, and at the same time he recorded his fourth victory in that format. Teammate Sergio Perez was closest to the current champion in the changing conditions in Spielberg, while Carlos Sainz Jr. in Ferrari was on the third step of the podium. Verstappen already lost the first position at the start, as Peres overtook him, but the defending champion fought back just a few corners later, practically throwing himself in front of his teammate. From that moment the Dutch driver managed to break away and in the end his advantage over Peres was over 20 seconds. The biggest disappointment of the sprint in Austria was caused by the second Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who was penalized after qualifying, but in the end he was only 11th. Max is now at the head of the general standings with 208 points, followed by Peres with 133.

Max Verstappen will start from the first position in the upcoming Formula 1 race for the Austrian Grand Prix, as he was the fastest in qualifications, and he certainly is the favorite for winning. The two-time world champion achieved a result of 1:04.391 minutes and won the fourth consecutive pole position, the sixth overall of the season. The Dutch driver will start the race at Spielberg from the first position for the third year in a row. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was second today, 0.048 seconds behind, while his teammate Carlos Sainz was third, 0.190 seconds behind. McLaren driver Lando Norris was fourth, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes fifth, while Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso will start from sixth and seventh place. Sergio Perez was disappointed in the qualifications and will start from the 15th position. Many teams decided to make numerous changes to their cars and so did Ferrari. They used redesigned front wing and adjustments to the floor, which gave them more speed.

It is almost certain that Verstappen will continue his domination and will once again win. However, the battles for other places are firing up, especially now that Ferrari and Mclaren made several changes that are making them more competitive. Aston Martin is among the rare teams that didn't make any changes to the cars and they were solid in the qualifications and sprint race. Alonso is feeling good in his car and I think he can reach the podium even though he is starting from P7.

OUR PREDICTION: Fernando Alonso podium finish