The Formula One convoy will reach Austria for this weekend’s showdown. The triple-header in the Red Bull ring would surely be a treat for the fans. While the home team is the favorite to clinch the title, limited FP sessions could pose a challenge. Further, the Sprint weekends have been filled with thrill and anticipation. Moreover, Ferrari and McLaren have increased enthrallment with their rapid car development.
As a result, the 2024 World Championship is no longer a one-way traffic, as Red Bull faces stiff competition. Thus, the team would look to counter the Free Practice woes, aiming to strike the perfect balance in one go. On the other hand, Mercedes has been slowly improving as it has bagged back-to-back podiums. Subsequently, both Red Bull and Mercedes have decided to go all out in their rear-wing strategy.
Austrian GP Preview: Ferrari And McLaren To Tackle Red Bull Giants While Mercedes Proceeds To Move Stealthly
The Red Bull Ring is 4.38 km long and has plenty of fast sweeping and braking zones. Further, the lap time difference is marginal, so even a tenth of a second could decide the winner. A long straight start ends with a tricky first corner. Further, the high exit kerb awaits the drivers to commit a mistake. The current cars produce ample downforce to go full throttle on this small ring. Moreover, it is a circuit with the highest percentage of DRS zone. Thus, all eyes would be on the most successful racer on this track- Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has won five times in Austria and is the favorite to make that six.
However, ambitious Ferrari and McLaren would block his road. While McLaren has been one of the quickest, Ferrari is not much behind. Although the Prancing Horses had an underwhelming last weekend, they know how to bounce back. Similarly, Mercedes, which is on its road to resurgence, would like to carry forward the Momentum of Canada and Barcelona. The Silver Arrows have been waiting to get their hands on the Silverware since 2022.
Moreover, Pirelli will use the softest compound tyres during the Austrian GP with C3, C4, and C5 in the descending order of hardness. One of the biggest tasks for the F1 teams would be to tweak the car in one FP session and manage the tyre degradation. Moreover, taking a lesson from last year’s Grand Prix, the FIA will use new methods to avoid track limit violations. The authorities are ready to use artificial intelligence to monitor cars.
Who Has An Upperhand As The F1 Arena Gets Ready For Another Sprint Event
Downforce plays a crucial part in Spielberg. Thus, Red Bull has opted for an aggressive rear-wing setup to improve the aero factor on straights further. Similarly, Mercedes is following in the same footsteps. The only difference is the angle of the rear wing, which is significantly less in the Mercedes setup.
On the other hand, Ferrari and McLaren share almost identical setups. Moreover, the high-altitude track allows the technical crew to use an aggressive aerodynamic strategy. Ultimately, the car, quicker on the Canada track, would go well in Austria.