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Formula 1 - Austria Grand Prix (Pre-Qualify)
Just before the qualifying starts, what do you need to know?
Austria is a circuit where breaking and grip plays a big role (where does it not), but only calling for medium downforce. The drivers will be using the Soft, Supersoft and Ultrasoft tyres. With a low number of 10 corners and an average speed of 230km/h (143mph), will it cause high stress on the brakes. 56% of the time will the driver be at full throttle, averaging 32 gear changes per lap!
This has caused several issues during the Free Practices while the rivers were setting up their cars. Lots of wide runs, couple of cars spun and Daniil Kvyat had brake problems.
Looking at the Free Practice times, can you see that even though the times improves, did Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both remain in the pole and third positions respectively. From FP1 to FP2 did Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel swap places, with the current championship leader, Vettel, slotting into second behind Lewis. Verstappen ended FP2 at fourth position.
Free Practice 2 ended with the top 5 being within 0.4 seconds from each other.
Free Practice Standings
Lewis Hamilton
The last three races at Austria was won by Mercedes. Two for Nico Rosberg and the last one for Hamilton. As Hamilton took pole position in three of the last four races this year, will all eyes be on him. Even though he was the fastest in both Free Practices, will he be penalized with 5 positions on the grid due to an unauthorized gearbox change.
FIA rules state that a gearbox must last for 6 consecutive races and this one did not. If Lewis Hamilton qualifies in pole position today, will 6th be the highest position he will be able to start from in tomorrows race. This is a blow for Lewis going in to tomorrows race, as he is 14 points behind Vettel in the championship. The Baku incident and finishing a place after Vettel did not help at all.
A quick lap around Austria with Max Verstappen:
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