F1 Preview: Austria Grand Prix
French GP recap
Another Hamilton masterclass sealed a dominant win for the British driver around the Paul Ricard circuit in what was Mercedes 8th consecutive win at the start of 2019, 10 if you include the final 2 races of 2018!Bottas made it another 1-2 for the Silver Arrows, although the Ferrari of Leclerc was closing fast in the final stages but ultimately had to settle for the final podium position. Verstappen was a lonely 4th whilst Vettel recovered to 5th after starting 7th.
Raikkonen returned to form with a solid 7th place following the penalty applied to Ricciardo, whilst it was more disappointment for the home favourite Gasly in the Red Bull as he came home just inside the points to claim 10th position. Arguably Sainz put in the driver of the day performance to be 'best of the rest' in the McLaren after finishing 6th, however it was his team-mate Norris who was awarded the accolade after some impressive driving with a number of issues to deal with in the latter stages of the race - coming home in 9th.
French GP Top 10: 1. Hamilton, 2. Bottas, 3. Leclerc, 4. Verstappen, 5. Vettel, 6. Sainz, 7. Raikkonen, 8.Hulkenberg, 9. Norris, 10. Gasly
Austria GP
Last season we had the very rare sight of a double retirement for Mercedes after engine failures ended hopes of a win for both Bottas and then Hamilton. In the end it was fan favourite Verstappen who claimed a popular win around the Red Bull Ring, ahead of the 2 Ferraris of Raikkonen and Vettel. Perhaps similar misfortune is required this year too if we're to see anyone other than a Mercedes victory this Sunday.
My top 10 prediction (after popular demand) - 1. Hamilton, 2. Bottas, 3. Vettel, 4. Verstappen,5. Leclerc, 6. Raikkonen, 7. Ricciardo, 8. Gasly, 9. Sainz, 10. Magnussen
Remember to make your F1 Predictor and F1 Fantasy picks.
Good luck with those picks and enjoy the race!
By Jack Lowe #KeepFightingMichael
Jono Drummond
29,682 caps
Thanks Jack. Similar to mine.
28 Jun 19:30
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Jersey-puller
32,772 caps
Its lucky that they renamed the A1 Ring the 'Red Bull Ring' as their marketing promise of "Gives you wings!" will need to be made good. The organisers have installed all sorts of deterent devices to stop drivers going wide and beyond track limits on many corners. As well as gravel which works best, they have reverse serrated rumble strips, pretty ineffective but might damage suspension longer term but most controversial are these 2 foot long & 4 inch high & wide yellow 'baguettes' or mini judder bars. So far they have taken out about SIX front wings! Plus various other bits of aero assisting bodywork. Teams have 4 front wings for the weekend. However richer teams will probably be getting more sent out. With Renault they might need to ask the mind & liver-bending beverage maker for a double helping? Ricciardo & especially Hulkenburg's rear wings start shaking like a dog sh*tting when DRS is used!
29 Jun 10:51
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Marty
9,791 caps
It panned out that way.
1 Jul 04:47
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Jersey-puller
32,772 caps
Yep even my EBP dropped changed picks went down the gurgler after Hamilton lost 8.5 secs getting his nose changed for wing damage. 1 Jul 10:55
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