La Formula 1 is preparing to get back on track, on the green hills of the Styria region. The Red Bull Ring it is in fact the second appointment of this first back-to-back of July which will end in Hungary, last race before the summer break. The Austrian track is especially popular with riders because of its natural ups and downs and the good mix of slow and fast sections. The home team, Red Bull has collected 4 victories in the last 7 Grands Prix disputed here. The other three have only been won by one other team, Mercedes. Just the Brackley stable comes from two excellent weekends, first in Canada and then to Silverstone. The spectacular fight between Hamilton, Perez and Leclerc it makes us foresee that even in Austria there will be an opportunity to see an even more heated and uncertain challenge in the top positions. Between risk of pioggia e Safety always lurking here is the our advice on predictions at Fanta F1! And watch out, because something very important changes with the Sprint!
Uncertain weather but Safety lurking
Safety Car: Yes
In the crazy Austrian Grand Prix in 2020 there were three for a total of 9 retirements. A return in grand style given that the last Safety in Austria dated back to 2016. One of the most critical points is turn 3, a place that the Ferraristi remember with a lump in the throat from the Rosso fratricide which ended with the double retirement of Leclerc and Vettel. It was precisely at this point in the last edition of the Austrian GP that the episode that called Safety into question took place, forcing Ocon to retire, narrowed by Giovinazzi and Schumacher.
Virtual Safety Car: No
On the other hand, it is difficult to see a Virtual or a red flag displayed. So we choose "no" for both
Red Flag: No
Drivers distinguish between wet/full wet tires in the race: Yes
Crazy weather, a bit like at Silverstone, where we almost got the forecast. If among the pilots there are those who do the rain dance like Schumacher, here too the situation is borderline. At the moment there is rain on Friday and Sunday morning but not during the session. The weekend Sprint does not play in our favor as you will need to make your choices and line up your formation by 16:59pm on Friday 8 July. But let's try the gamble anyway.
Team double in the race: No
Anyone would say "oh well it's an easy brace for Red Bull, playing at home", however Austria usually doesn't give away braces, the last one dating back to 2015 with the Rosberg - Hamilton couple in Mercedes. For this day at Fanta F1 we decide once again not to opt for a one-two. To see if there will also be problems reliability to the Power Unit considering the height of the Austrian route.
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: Yes
The Sprint race will return to Austria, therefore not only the format of the weekend will change but also the regulation at Fanta F1. For this forecast, the driver who is considered for Pole is the one who sets the best time in Friday's qualifying. For example, the "YES" would be valid if Verstappen were to take Pole on Friday, and win on Sunday, regardless of the result obtained on Saturday in the sprint race.
Stables to bring both cars into the top 10: 4
For the number of teams to bring both cars into the top 10 we remain on 4. Given that, especially in the center of the group, the fight for points is played out on the edge of the tenth.
Vehicles forced to retire: 3
However, reliability, also considering the frequency in which withdrawals of this type have occurred since the beginning of the season, could be Spielberg's Achilles heel for someone. We believe that 3 is a good compromise.
