F1, Austrian Grand Prix: 5 Qualifying Predictions

The R
The first two practice sessions from Friday have come to a close and it was Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton who came out on top taking charge of the Austrian track

This weekend is round nine of the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship and that is the Austrian Grand Prix.

A good 1,111 kilometres of traveling this week for all ten teams 20 odd drivers from the Circuit Paul Ricard to the Red Bull Ring.

The first two practice sessions from Friday have come to a close and it was Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton who came out on top taking charge of the Austrian track.

But the only real moments that matter is on Saturday when qualifying takes place the day before the main event, race day on Sunday.

After checking out all ten teams in action in Friday's sessions, we have some early predictions ahead of qualifying.

Here are five qualifying predictions...


#5 Force India may struggle

AUTO-PRIX-F1-AUSTRIA-PRACTICE
The cracks might just be starting to show in the Force India team

On the week of one of the Force India team bosses admitting that they may already be too far behind Renault in the Constructors' Championship, the cracks might just be starting to show.

Starting this weekend as both Force Indias looked to have been struggling in P1 and P2.

Particularly Sergio Perez - the most experienced driver out of the two. The Mexican was only 14th fastest in P1 and came out even worst come P2 by being third from last quickest.

Perez's teammate, Esteban Ocon, had a fair run out in P1 coming in 8th place (1:06.055) but in P2 the Frenchman went down to 13th (1:06.133).

Both Perez and Ocon retired from Sunday's French Grand Prix which has now made life very difficult for the team to achieve their aim of finishing 4th in the Constructors' Championship.

This weekend is a must turnaround for Force India to get back in shape.

#4 Leclerc might achieve Q3... again!

F1 Grand Prix of Austria - Practice
Charles Leclerc has been one of the biggest revelations this season

For a young rookie driver like Charles Leclerc, every race that comes by is a valuable experience for someone who has to prove not just to himself but to the team bosses around him in the garages.

And that is exactly what the 20-year-old looks to be doing after nearly nine races into the current campaign.

Last weekend at the French Grand Prix saw Leclerc experience something new and that was competing in Q3.

The man from Monaco was eighth fastest out of the ten drivers that reached Q3 which was rather impressive considering he was behind the steering wheel of a Sauber.

But this weekend might see Leclerc take in from what he learned from the previous qualifying and take it with him to the Red Bull Ring.

#3 Verstappen to out-qualify Ricciardo

F1 Grand Prix of Austria - Practice
Max Verstappen has looked have improved things

Max Verstappen has looked have improved things very quickly over the last few weeks especially after what happened in P3 at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monte Carlo was a race to forget for the Dutchman after only finishing in ninth place when the Red Bull was capable of winning the famous street race that weekend.

It saw his teammate Daniel Ricciardo get all the glory by finishing first at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Members of the media have questioned Verstappen's driving but have since silenced his doubters by claiming two consecutive podiums in a row.

Verstappen was runner-up at last weekend's French Grand Prix to Lewis Hamilton and finished third in Canada.

And looking at his lap times in Friday's practice, Verstappen looks set to out-qualify Ricciardo on Saturday.

Verstappen was four-tenths of a second quicker than the Australian in P1 but Ricciardo was quicker in the following practice.

But the momentum looks to be on Verstappen's side and could get a second row start with or without his Red Bull partner.

#2 A top 3 for Bottas

F1 Grand Prix of Austria - Practice
It was a strong performance from Valtteri Bottas throughout Friday

It was a strong performance from Valtteri Bottas throughout Friday.

He finished runner-up to his teammate Lewis Hamilton in both practice sessions helping the team show an early dominant display to their rivals ahead of qualifying and race day.

Bottas knows what it takes to win at the Red Bull Ring as he did so at last year's race sealing his second ever F1 race victory.

The Finnish driver may have some challenges behind as the rivals of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen have so far been the third fastest out of the pack.

It may seem okay to claim that Bottas will be defending Hamilton's leading position throughout Sunday's race if everything goes to plan in qualifying.

#1 Pole position for Hamilton

AUTO-PRIX-F1-AUSTRIA-PRACTICE
The Red Bull Ring has felt like Mercedes' second home

It was a fine drive from Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Valtteri Bottas in Friday's practice sessions.

Hamilton topped P1 (1:04.839) and P2 (1:04.579) making him the favourite to seal pole position on Saturday.

Since the Austrian Grand Prix returned to Formula 1 in 2014, Mercedes have won ever since it returns thanks to the faces of Hamilton, Bottas and Nico Rosberg.

The Red Bull Ring has felt like Mercedes' second home when you compare the other circuits from the calendar.

The momentum is currently with the championship leader and if qualifying goes to plan come Saturday, Hamilton will be the strong favourite to win his fourth race of the season.


Do you agree with our qualifying predictions? Comment below.


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Edited by Alan John
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