History in his sights
Bottas eyes wins on same track in successive races
SPIELBERG: Valtteri Bottas can make Formula One history in Austria this weekend as the first driver to win twice at the same circuit in a single season, but the Finn knows plenty can change in the space of a week.
The first Styrian Grand Prix, named after the southern Austrian state that surrounds Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring, is a new name for a familiar race.
For the first time, a circuit is hosting back-to-back races – a situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic – and Bottas, winner of last Sunday’s Austrian opener from pole position, has a good chance of doing the double.
The race will again be without spectators but those expecting race two to be the same as race one in all other respects are likely to be disappointed.
Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Bottas’ teammate, was hampered by both a three-place grid drop and time penalty last Sunday and that particular lightning is unlikely to strike twice.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, winner in 2018 and 2019 at his team’s home circuit, and Alex Albon would have to be doubly unlucky to draw blanks for a second weekend in a row.
“Whatever we found wasn’t perfect last weekend we can improve this week,” said Verstappen.
“It looks like it could rain this week and I’m not sure anybody knows how competitive they are in the wet with these new cars so that could be interesting.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who took surprise podiums in a race of only 11 finishers, may struggle to repeat that success even if Ferrari are speeding up planned updates.
“One thing I’ve learned about race cars in 20 years or something of doing this, whether its go-karts or F1, is a track can change from one day to the next,” said Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, who failed to finish last Sunday.
“A car can feel great one day and not the next. Things can change...I’m not promising a completely different scenario but I wouldn’t also promise the same. I wouldn’t bet exactly on a copy-paste,” added the Australian. — Reuters