Bottas sets sights on historic Austrian double
LONDON: Valtteri Bottas can make Formula One history in Austria on Monday 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 backtoback races — a situation resulting from the Covid19 pandemic — and Bottas, winner of this week’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.
‘‘The reality is that we were fortunate to finish the race,’’ Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said of the electrical problems experienced last Monday.
‘‘Reliability caused us real concern and it is something we are working on as our highest priority.
‘‘In a shorter season with a yet to be determined number of races, every point counts, so we need to improve quickly on that front.’’
Sixtime world champion Lewis Hamilton, Bottas’ teammate, was hampered by both a threeplace grid drop and time penalty 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. — Reuters