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The Styrian hills are alive with the sound of hybrid-turbo horsepower, as Formula One returns to Austria for the ninth round of the world championship. Join The Roar for live updates and a blog of the race, starting from 10pm (AEST).
Resurrected by energy drinks giant Red Bull, the former A1-Ring returned to the calendar in 2014 and since then has been dominated by Mercedes AMG.
The 4.3km undulating power circuit allows the authoritative Silver Arrows squad to assert their horsepower advantage over the rest of the competition, as well as Mercedes-Benz customer outfits.
Weather is set to play a factor with scattered showers forecast for Sunday. It certainly showed its hand during qualifying, delivering the most exciting Q3 session of the season so far.
Lewis Hamilton emerged in pole position ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg, who along with Sebastian Vettel has been consigned to 5-place grid penalties for an unscheduled change of gearbox.
This allows Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg to start on the front-row alongside the reigning world champion and in a surprise, Jenson Button will start from third in what is McLaren’s best qualifying since their reunion with Honda in 2015.
Much cannot be expected of the 2009 world champion however, with the McLaren still struggling in terms of efficiency in race trim. But Hulkenberg has a strong opportunity to claim his belated maiden podium in Formula One.
Ferrari’s pace during the final practice session was quite strong and if dry conditions are on hand during Sunday’s proceedings, then the likes of Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen cannot be ruled out.
Typically, the home team continues to struggle with their lack of power. Daniel Ricciardo will lead Max Verstappen in positions five and eighth respectively. Sister outfit Toro Rosso also had a tough qualifying with fifteenth and twentieth for Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat.
Williams also struggled on a circuit normally accustomed to them. Sixth and tenth is what eventuated for Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa with the penalties applied.
Rubber wise, the soft and supersoft tyres will be accompanied by the ultrasofts. The newly resurfaced asphalt has so far caused many problems with graining on the softest of the trio, hence a three-stop strategy looking likely for the race.
Can Hamilton then, snap his teammate’s two-race winning streak at the Red Bull Ring?
Or shall we see someone outside the Silver Arrows band take victory?
Tune into The Roar from 10pm (AEST) for a full live blog of the Austrian Grand Prix.
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