Grand Prix of Austria in Spielberg, Sunday, 02.07.2023
After a two-week break, Formula 1 returns. In Spielberg, the fastest racing drivers in the world will attack again. The favourite this time is also Max Verstappen!
Red Bull has won every race so far. At their home race, they are aiming for victory number 9 this season. But the competition has been closer recently. What’s your best bet for the Austrian GP? My prediction:
Max Verstappen has already pulled away in the World Championship. But the last race in Montreal makes you want more. Because the worst opponents have made progress with their cars.
At the same time, Red Bull had problems at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. What will it be like in Austria now? Last year, Verstappen only finished second behind Charles Leclerc.
In 2021, there were two races at the Red Bull Ring, and in his first year in the world championship he managed to win twice despite different tyre compounds on the weekends.
Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Co. have to reckon with greater chances in qualifying. The course in Styria is short. If Verstappen, who will be tuning his car purely for the race anyway, doesn’t manage a perfect lap, pole position could already be gone.
This weekend there will also be a supplementary sprint race.
The premier class is relying on the new system tested in Baku, in which the sprint race on Saturday has no influence on the grid for the main race.
Following a Friday practice session, qualifying for Sunday’s grid will be held.
Saturday will see a short time trial, which will give the starting order for Saturday’s sprint.
Less testing time means less preparation, which should play into the hands of the smaller teams in particular if the favourites don’t pull out the perfect car set-up in Friday practice.
In addition to the format, the weather adds even more spice. It is supposed to rain on all three driving days. A safety car deployment should be very likely. The odds are in the 1.65 range at Betano.
There are strong odds for a podium finish for Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez: 1.83. The Mexican has weakened several times in qualifying recently, but will be strong enough for the podium if things go normally.
The strong Red Bull pace in the race will also play a major role. Alternatively, you can also place a bet at Bet365 that both drivers of the Austrian racing team will finish on the podium: 2.20.
Alexander Albon, who competes for the underdog team Williams, caused a small surprise in the last race. The Thai reached the points in seventh place and was on the road with a big update package.
This has paid off and in recent years the Williams has generally proved to be a solid car on fast tracks. A place in the points is conceivable, especially if competing drivers drop out in the rain. Bet365 serves odds of 2.50.
Four weeks ago, Mercedes in particular impressed with the retread of the W14. With George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, the silver team’s driver duo is also considered the strongest in the entire field.
In Spielberg, the team was usually strong. A place among the top 6 should be possible in any case. A suitable bet can be placed at odds of 1.72.
The last 5 races at the Red Bull Ring:
Besides Lance Stroll, who is currently weakening, the Mercedes would only need to crack one other driver from the top teams to reach the top 6. Especially in the rain, this could be easy for the two strong Brits.
If all the weather forecasts are for rain on race Sunday, a bet on many retirements is also interesting. For under 17 drivers at the finish, Bet365 has lucrative odds of 3.40.
In adverse conditions, Nico Hülkenberg usually comes up trumps as well. Bwin offers a duel bet against the Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou. The 1.72 for the German is definitely pleasingly high.
Those who would like to play odds in a significantly higher segment could place a risk tip on “Williams achieves the points with both drivers” at 65.00.
The retreaded Williams, which only Albon was able to drive in the last race, was strong in Canada. In Spielberg, teammate Logan Sargeant will also get the new parts and is now also challenged on a track he knows from the junior series.
A bit of race luck and the high odds could be a very hot bet for race Sunday.
Summary: Max Verstappen is once again the driver to beat in Austria. But how close is the competition this weekend? All the chasers are in catch-up mode.
Including the Ferraris, who finally got to grips with the unspeakable tyre wear in Montreal and showed strong pace in the race. Charles Leclerc is definitely a man for the front places.
But his teammate Carlos Sainz was also better recently. For a finish in the top 6 of the race Betano has a 1.52, my tip for the Austrian GP.
My tip: Sainz makes the top 6
