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  1. #1
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    2019 Austrian GP - Redbull Ring




    So far, the 2019 season has been a "walk in the park" for the Petronas Mercedes team. They have won all the races to date, with Lewis Hamilton winning six of the eight completed races. Valterie Bottas winning the other two. Ferrari and Redbull have no wins their names. But Freaky twists of fate has deprived Ferrari from those occasions where they had done all the work of comprehensively beating the competition but were stripped of the spoils and glory of winning the races. For some reason, Redbull are not quite where they were when they had the Renault engine this season.

    The Austrian GP has not typically been a Hamilton circuit, though he has won it once in 2016. Bottas is usually very strong at this track, setting the fastest lap ever of the track at 1:03:130 during the 2018 qualifying. Bottas won the race once in 2017. Both Mercedes sere leading the 2018 race and were on course for a one-two race finish when a double DNF due to engine failure handed the race win to a grateful Max Verstapenn who was running in third. You would be interested to know that Vettel has never won this race.

    The Ferrari has not been very good at this race in recent years, one wonders if it would be any different this weekend. However, it is another realistic opportunity for Redbull to win this race if Mercedes and Ferrari slip up. On shear pace, the Mercedes would be the car to beat this weekend. Only a mishap such as engine failure, tyre problems or act of God would cause them to fail to win this race. But which of the two Mercedes drivers is favorite to win this race? My money is on Bottas to get pole, but Hamilton to win the race. Bottas has been having quite a few bad starts recently, he would need to do something special to keep ahead of Hamilton this weekend. A Hamilton win would put 43 points between Hamilton and Bottas. A Bottas win would reduce the current gap to at least 29 points.

    The fight for fourth would rage on this weekend, as Renault bids to level or surpass the ever improving Mclaren. The brilliant drive by Sainz and fiesty drive by Norris in a troubled car at Paul Ricard brought about an increase of the gap between Mclaren and Renault from two points to eight points. A repeat of the French GP form at the Redbull ring may see this gap increase further into double figures



    Even the twirly mustache of Carey Chase, looked well at home in the fine company of the Austrian grid girls.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 28th June 2019 at 11:57.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
    William Shakespeare

  2. #2
    Senior Member Tazio's Avatar
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    Alright Mclerc on pole, but I think The Boss is going to overhaul him!
    May the forza be with you

  3. #3
    Senior Member Tazio's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tazio View Post
    I think The Boss is going to overhaul him!
    With the 3 place grid drop, not likely! Sorrrrrrrrrrrry
    May the forza be with you

  4. Likes: airshifter (29th June 2019),truefan72 (29th June 2019)
  5. #4
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    Well that was interesting. Leclerc was on fire all weekend so far, and it seemed like everyone was in search of a tow.

    Max impressed, Lewis finally overcame Bottas on this track for qually and then paid the price for the earlier mistake. Kmag put in an amazing lap for the Haas car IMO, and will start 10th due to a gearbox change.

    The youngest front row in the sports history.

    Max and both Mercedes starting on the medium tires, everyone else on the soft. Hard to say which way that one will go.


    But it is set up to be a crazy race.

  6. Likes: truefan72 (30th June 2019)
  7. #5
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    With the projected heat tomorrow I suspect the softs will give up sooner than normal.
    "Old roats am jake mit goats."
    -- Smokey Stover

  8. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tazio View Post
    With the 3 place grid drop, not likely! Sorrrrrrrrrrrry
    He starts 4th but the penalty was deserved. A win is a bit unlikely now but, if anyone can do it, Lewis can. I would like to see LeClerc on top step of the podium tomorrow.

  9. Likes: Tazio (30th June 2019)
  10. #7
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    I agree with seeing LeClerc as the winner. It adds some good new blood at the top. Ferrari should now begin to consider Vettel as the number 2. It will also be interesting to see if Magnussen can show well in the race. Up to now, when the Haas cars have qualified well they have faded badly in the race. And Max - what can he pull out?
    "Old roats am jake mit goats."
    -- Smokey Stover

  11. #8
    Senior Member journeyman racer's Avatar
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    Ferrari should consider Leclerc as no 1?

    Overall, Vettel has been better this season. He's a ahead of Leclerc in the championship (Even if Leclerc had won in Bahrain). Head to head is 6-2 to Vettel.

    Leclerc can bask in the glory if he wins tonight (Anytime he gets the better of Vettel) and in the goodwill he has from fans that Vettel doesn't have. But transferring "no1 status" to Leclerc from Vettel is something they should do if they want Verstappen to finish ahead of both their cars.

    Not really practical when looking at it objectively.
    Last edited by journeyman racer; 30th June 2019 at 06:58.

  12. #9
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    Hamilton gets a 3 place grid penalty. But ends up 2 places and 1 row behind.

    Even when something bad happens to him, it's never that bad.

  13. #10
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    I'm looking forward to the stewards not giving a penalty to Verstappen and Ferrari embarrassing themselves once more invoking their right of review.

    What a cracker of the race. I'm gutted that Max nabbed it in the end, though. Leclerc really deserves to get a race win.
    Last edited by N4D13; 30th June 2019 at 16:06.

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