The sporting situation in Formula 1 has not changed since the last day of testing in Barcelona over 120 days and 69 days ago: A title duel between Lewis Hamilton (35, Mercedes) and Max Verstappen (22nd ed Bull Honda). With outsider chances for Ferrari, which could not convince in the tests. These three teams have been unbeaten since 139 World Cup races (since Melbourne 2013). And Verstappen can only replace Vettel as the youngest world champion in history this season.
Pilots come in a private jet
Only the corona numbers changed in four months: 10 million people were infected, half a million died of the virus. It goes without saying that extreme caution is still required: Most drivers and team bosses will land at the air base near Zeltweg (i.e. right next to the Red Bull Ring).
Does Verstappen have Hattrick?
The 4,326 km long track (since the reopening in 2014) is very interesting for the title duo: does Bulle Max win his third race in a row there? Spielberg is a love-hate relationship for Silber-Lewis. He won there only once – in 2016, when team-mate Nico Rosberg became world champion. In the other five races (two Rosberg, two Verstappen and Bottas) there was no victory for Hamilton – but each the world title.
Lewis is still missing 7 wins …
And 2019? There Hamilton traveled with six triumphs and two second places to the ninth race in Spielberg – and was behind Verstappen. Leclerc, Bottas and Vettel only fifth! Later Hamilton only climbed Hockenheim, Singapore and Brazil not on the podium. What happens in Spielberg this time with the six-time champion who is seven wins behind Schumi (91)?
«We miss the fans»
But the Brit thinks primarily about the ghost race: «Driving past empty stands will hardly motivate us. It will be pretty lonely in the cockpit. We will all miss the fans until they can appear again. »
Another 3 points for Alfa-Sauber?
At Alfa-Sauber, one would not be unhappy with the Spielberg result a year ago after the more rigorous tests: 9th Raikkonen, 10th Giovinazzi. Sports director Beat Zehnder: “We will continue to do our pit stops with 22 men. All with balaclava hats and a closed helmet. » It becomes more difficult with an engine failure if it goes into the heart of the hybrid monster in the garage. Because of the distance rules, the teams expect a double repair time. So around four instead of two hours …
Pirelli solves rubber problems
Things are only getting easier with the Pirelli tires made in Romania. So far, the teams had to state their 13 wishes for the three offered mixes weeks in advance. By the end of the season in Abu Dhabi (December 13), Pirelli is now delivering the same number of sets to all teams: twice hard (color white), three times medium (yellow) and eight times soft (red).
Cradle Festival and Birth
What happens until the training starts on Friday? Sebastian Vettel climbs into the Ferrari cockpit when he is 33 years old. And in Gstaad BE it is expected that Fabiana (44) will give her husband Bernie Ecclestone (89) a son.
How good is Schumi junior?
The double Formula 2 start in Spielberg is, of course, all about Mick Schumacher (20). His clever management ensured that the famous name remained in conversation even during the long break. But in his second season, the world champion son must finally bring performances that open the door for him. At Prema has a damn fast team-mate with the Russian Robert Schwarzman, who was Formula 3 champion last year. At Alfa Sauber, too, Schumi junior is closely examined by Chef Vasseur and Team Director Zehnder. But maybe in the end the order for Schumi’s future comes directly from Ferrari to Hinwil …
