With calendar changes necessary owing to restrictions around the world, the Styrian Grand Prix – brought in last year to help boost the number of races – will be staged again.
The stage for Round 8
Red Bull Ring, Austria#StyrianGP
#F1 pic.twitter.com/pR6JPnrLfq
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 23, 2021
The title race could not be closer heading into the Austrian mountains – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is just 12 points clear of Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton heading into the eighth race of 2021.
The Dutchman extended his lead in the championship after overtaking Hamilton in the final stages of the French Grand Prix on Sunday.
Now, Red Bull head back to their home circuit as they look to extend their advantage in both the driver’s and constructor’s championships.
Verstappen To Stretch Lead At The Top
2021 is shaping up to be the closest title race for quite a few years now and that is due in large part down to the fiery 23-year-old.
Verstappen, who has already amassed 126 races despite his tender years, has become a firm fan favourite due to his uncompromising attitude and willingness to take risks on track.
Even though he was clearly catching up to Hamilton at Paul Ricard, a move had to be made and he dived up at the chicane with two laps to go to take the lead.
Verstappen has always had a ruthless streak but now appears to have the car to match.
The Red Bull Ring – with its long straights and tight corners – is likely to suit the Red Bull car better than the Mercedes, with the Honda power unit receiving wide praise for how it has transformed the team’s fortunes.
The 23-year-old can be backed at 11/10 to win the Styrian Grand Prix.
Podium Place For Perez
One of the reasons why Red Bull are 37 points clear in the constructor’s championship is the performance of number two driver Sergio Perez.
"I’m looking forward to racing for Red Bull at its home Grand Prix. The Team has done well here in the past so hopefully that form continues and we can get some good results." @SChecoPerez previews the #StyrianGP
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) June 23, 2021
The Mexican was brought in to replace Alex Albon for 2021 to add a bit more experience and competition to the role.
He hasn’t disappointed – after a slightly shaky start, Perez has certainly settled into the role and won his first for his new team in Baku earlier this month.
That was followed up by a podium finish at Paul Ricard last week meaning the 31-year-old is comfortably the best of the rest in the driver’s championship.
Austria has always been a venue where he drives well – in eight starts he has finished in the points six times, with a couple of sixth-place finishes in 2020.
Perez can be backed for another top-three finish at 1/1.
Hamilton To Stay In Touch
It would be remiss to completely discount Hamilton given how strongly he has performed against the odds in the past.
However, even the 35-year-old concedes that the Red Bull Ring is a “power-hungry” circuit after claiming the Austrian car was three-and-a-half tenths quicker on the straights at Paul Ricard.
Nevertheless, it has been a happy hunting ground for Mercedes since its reinstatement to the F1 calendar in 2014.
Six of the eight races have been won by Mercedes, including the Styrian and Austrian Grand Prix held in 2020.
Even though the day might belong ultimately to Red Bull, Hamilton can still have a positive result and is 1/4 to finish on the podium.
*All odds correct at time of writing.