Max Verstappen goes into the second consecutive race at the Red Bull Ring on the back of winning his team’s home race, the Dutchman will be looking to double up on his victory from last weekend.
The Styrian Grand Prix was all about Verstappen, the championship leader obliterated the field leaving no one capable of keeping up with him. The victory also made it four consecutive victories for Red Bull Racing, the first time they have achieved this in the hybrid era. This weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix may be at the same venue but Verstappen is aware that no weekend is ever the same.
This weekend will see not only softer tyres used by Pirelli for the first time ever at the circuit, but also the possibility of mixed weather yet again going into the weekend. On the form he is currently on though it will take a mountain to stop him, especially with all the hard work going on behind the scenes. Verstappen will be looking to extend his championship lead this weekend.
“To win our home race last weekend was a whole Team effort and we can be very happy with that, but we cannot expect the same result easily this weekend. People will learn from what they didn’t do so well last week and also we have softer tyre compounds which could mix things up as well.
“We had a very positive race but there are always things we can do better and I naturally expect everyone to be closer this weekend as this is usually what happens when you have back-to-back races at the same track.
“As a Team we are focused on ourselves and I like that everyone is still pushing and wants to improve, as that is what Formula One and competition is about. It is very important to me to see everyone motivated and adding performance and from my side I will keep driving to the maximum each weekend so we can try and stay ahead. At the moment we have a very good package but we need to keep on top of everything as it is still a very long season.”
“I can’t believe this is my two-hundredth race!” – Sergio Pérez
Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Pérez goes into this weekend ready to celebrate what will be his two-hundredth grand prix, the experienced Mexican will be using this milestone as extra motivation going into the weekend.
Pérez failed to make the podium last time out, leaving him eager to rectify that this weekend again in front of the Red Bull bosses. With it being the second race in a row at the Red Bull Ring, Pérez has a good foundation to start the weekend on, as he looks to be on the pace as quickly as possible.
“I can’t believe this is my 200th race! I am really looking forward to racing in the same place for a second weekend, I think this will give me a very good understanding of the car. I now have a very good reference from last weekend and I know the areas I need to improve.
“It will also be interesting to see how much the tyre compounds will change the performance and strategy throughout the weekend. I think we can do very well this weekend and it would be very special to step up on the podium here at our home race and secure more points for the Team.”
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