2018 Austrian Grand Prix review

I was glad when Valtteri Bottas took pole but somehow knew that Lewis Hamilton would overtake him at the start and so he did. Hamilton chose different settings than Bottas and it clearly paid off.

Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen almost took the lead but dropped back a few spots after a nice try. I really would like to see him still win races but the race starts have been really bad for him. I have no idea why but he almost always looses positions. Then later he takes them back but it would be nice if he could get a good start for once and keep the positions he gains. He got up to 2nd but was overtaken by Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

What was up with all of the technical difficulties?? Renault's Nico Hulkenberg, both Mercedes drivers Bottas and Hamilton, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Toro Rosso's Brendon Hartley. Usually when we see this many retirements it's because of a crash or something.

Another thing we all were wondering was why didn't Mercedes pit sooner so that Hamilton would have stayed ahead? they said that they were concerned that the Ferrrari's and Red Bull's would stay out and overtake him but in this way they all got better tyres and still got ahead! But it doesn't really matter does it? when Hamilton had to retire from the race for the first time this season.

Verstappen also was having difficulties but luckily crossed the finish line in 1st position and took a home victory for Red Bull on the Red Bull Ring! Congratz lad. Good job! I always enjoy races where my predictions go totally wrong.

I have to say that I really would have wanted Räikkönen to win the race... he hasn't won a single race since he rejoined Ferrari in 2014.

Then it's time for my predictions and the results:

Pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - WRONG. His teammate Bottas took pole

The race:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - WRONG. He retired from the race and Verstappen won
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - WRONG. He also retired from the race and Räikkönen was 2nd.
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - WRONG. He ALSO retired from the race and Vettel was 3rd.

Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - WRONG. Räikkönen was fastest.

Surprise: Red Bull will do better than Ferrari - CORRECT. Red Bull's Verstappen was 1st at the finish line 

FORMULA 1 EYETIME GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2018 - RACE

FORMULA 1 EYETIME GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2018 - QUALIFYING

FORMULA 1 EYETIME GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2018 - PRACTICE 3

FORMULA 1 EYETIME GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2018 - PRACTICE 2

FORMULA 1 EYETIME GROSSER PREIS VON ÖSTERREICH 2018 - PRACTICE 1

2018 Austrian Grand Prix preview

Austrian GP 1997

The Austrian GP is here again! I have been in Austria and I absolutely love the whole country. A very special and beautiful place so why not combine it with Formula One? ;)

What do we remember from this track?

4 years ago Felipe Massa took pole position and Valtteri Bottas was second in qualifying. Everybody were stunned. In the race the Mercs got ahead with Nico Rosberg as the winner and Lewis Hamilton 2nd. Valtteri Bottas was 3rd and Felipe Massa was 4th.




























In 2014 it was also the first time in many years they raced in Austria. So when was the previous race before 2014? The answer is 2003! 

Michael Schumacher was fighting for the championship with Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya. They were no match for Michael and his Ferrari, so of course he won the race. Kimi was second and Juan Pablo retired from the race.

What kind of other memories do I have from this track then? I remember in 1998 when Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard took a 1-2 for McLaren and Schumacher was 3rd. Those three were fighting for the championship in 1998. In the end it was just Mika vs. Michael.

2 years ago it was also very interesting when the Mercs crashed on the last lap!! Hamilton tried to overtake Rosberg from the outside and then Rosberg just forced him off track. It was a very dirty move and it was very clear what he did. He blamed it on his brakes for some reason.

When Hamilton tried to come back on track Rosberg was in the way again and clearly on purpose. They crashed again and Rosberg lost his front wing and the lead as well! Hamilton was now flying and Rosberg dropped behind Verstappen and Räikkönen.

 
This year I believe that the Mercs will be on top and Red Bull might do a surprise and beat Ferrari! We shall wait and see.

Then it's time for my predictions. 

Pole position: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

The race:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull

Surprise: Red Bull will do better than Ferrari.