Mercedes’ dominance in Formula 1’s turbo era is on shaky ground as Red Bull looks to continue its four-race winning streak in 2021 at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Among the only two teams to win races this season, Max Verstappen has notched up four victories, one more than Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Sergio Perez collected a solitary win in Baku, his first for Red Bull.
The German team is under pressure after Verstappen’s win last weekend at the Spielberg, the first race of the double-header, which increased his lead over Hamilton to 18 points.
Red Bull’s advantage at the power circuit, also their home race, last week means that Verstappen and Perez head into Sunday’s race as overwhelming favourites. Hamilton and co will hope the 90% rain forecast for the race will balance the playing fields to give them a chance against Red Bull.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished fifth at the Styrian GP, is another drive to look out for as well as the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc who finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively.
CAR journalists Nikesh Kooverjee and Sean Parker discuss what happened in the Styrian GP and if we can expect another dominant display from the flying Dutchman.
If you’re in the car, listen to the episode here:
