As Formula 1 gears up for Round 9 of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are bracing themselves for a challenging and fast-paced weekend.
Verstappen, who has clinched victory in the last four races and holds a significant lead over his rivals in the title race, expects a mixed bag of unpredictable weather and an enthusiastic home crowd.
Expressing his thoughts on the upcoming Sprint race format, Verstappen acknowledged the heightened intensity it brings compared to a standard race.
“This is the second Sprint race of the season, they are always more hectic and complex compared to a normal race, and the weather looks a bit unpredictable too, so it will definitely mix things up a little bit,” he said.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Verstappen also highlighted the significance of the Austrian Grand Prix as a home race for the Red Bull team.
With a strong track record at Spielberg, having won there four times, Verstappen aims to deliver another exceptional performance for the passionate Dutch fans.
“Of course Austria is a home race for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the support again at the track, hopefully, we’ll put on a good show for everyone in the grandstands,” he added.
“We always enjoy coming back to Austria, and I’m excited to try to add another trophy to the collection for the team.
“We’ve had some good results there already, so let’s see what we can do.”
On the other hand, Perez, who started the season strongly with two wins but has experienced a dip in form, emphasised the importance of consistency and delivering a strong result.
READ: Lewis Hamilton joins Elton John backstage
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the Sprint weekend and the potential for unpredictable weather, Perez remarked: “My focus will be on the track because I know how important it is for me to have a consistent weekend and really produce a result I know I am capable of.”
Recognising the minimal and critical time available for car setup during the Sprint weekend, Perez stressed the need to maximise every moment of preparation.
Reflecting on the previous Sprint weekend in Baku, where he had a successful outing at a different circuit, Perez expressed his determination to replicate that achievement and elevate his performance for the upcoming race in Austria.