Red Bull has been enjoying a clear dominance on the grid for almost two years now. Apparently, their driver Max Verstappen ruined Lewis Hamilton’s party back in 2021 in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a controversial final lap. Since then, Max and Red Bull have not looked back. Last year, Red Bull won 17 races, with Verstappen winning 15 himself. Moreover, in the current season, the Austrian team has won all the races so far, with Max two wins short again. But both times, it was his teammate, Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, who won two races. Hence, fans expected Checo to make the season interesting if he could challenge his teammate for the title.
But after the Miami Grand Prix, Sergio Perez failed to make the podium. On the other hand, Max Verstappen never stopped winning. The worst performances of the Dutchman so far this season came twice when he finished second in Saudi Arabia and in Baku, Azerbaijan. Now after eight races, Verstappen has won six and Checo two. But the homecoming race for Red Bull is coming next weekend at the Red Bull ring, Austrian Grand Prix. Evidently, the Red Bull team is keen to extend their lead in their home circuit. However, they are wary of their rivals, who are none other than Mercedes.
Red Bull Is Waiting For A Tricky Homecoming Race Next Weekend
In Austria, it is not only homecoming for Red Bull but also the Mercedes boss Toto Wolff who is positive about getting a better performance next weekend. On top of that, Mercedes is set to introduce new upgrades in Austria and later in Silverstone, the British Grand Prix. All these pieces of information are not making the current table topper, Red Bull, relax at all. On the contrary, they need to display their A-game in the upcoming races to extend their lead and win the season comfortably. However,
Max Verstappen generally had a great time in Austria as he won four times there. But Sergio Perez had the best time in Austria when he came sixth. Moreover, the Austrian Grand Prix is a sprint race, the second of the season. And it is evident to every F1 enthusiast that Verstappen is not a big fan of the sprint race format. Hence, Red Bull can expect a hectic and tricky race next weekend. On the other hand, Red Bull’s rivals will keep trying to build more pressure on them to see them crack finally.
Mercedes Is Feeling Confident Heading To Austria
Team Mercedes is gradually improving with their W14 car. Apparently, they introduced new upgrades in Monaco. But it did not help them get to the podium in the Monaco Grand Prix right away. However, later in Barcelona, Spain, the Silver Arrows got their first double-podium this season, while Lewis Hamilton got his second podium this year after the Australian Grand Prix finished in the same P2.
Moreover, George Russell got his first podium this year in Spain, finishing at P3. And later, in Canada, Lewis Hamilton got his third podium this year, finishing at P3. Apparently, the Mercedes team had said before that they had no expectations from the Canadian Grand Prix. Hence, it surely boosts their confidence in going to Austria.
