Double Fun or Double Dominance? 2023 Austrian Grand Prix

It's time for F1 Sprint and the Grand Prix at the Red Bull Racing this weekend. Yes, the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix will have 2 x Qualifying sessions and 2 x Races (okay, 1 and one-third, to be precise).

But will that lead to double fun or double dominance?

We're hosting a live race screening for Formula 1 fans in Mumbai.

Where: Dadar SOCIAL

When: 2nd July, 5.30 pm onward (IST)

Soumil Arora will host a pre-race interaction & F1 quiz for all attendees.

Get your tickets on Paytm Insider.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah wonder if Max Verstappen will extend his dominant streak to take two pole positions, two races and two fastest laps in Austria. Can anyone catch him?

The last time we had a Sprint + Grand Prix weekend, Charles Leclerc took pole (Baku, 2023). And the time before last (Brazil, 2022), George Russell won for Mercedes. We expect everyone to use and abuse this stat through the weekend.

In the mid-field, several teams will bring upgrades. But they will have lesser time to test them - just one Free Practice remember. Also, will the FIA bring about a rule change for using a 'new soft' in SQ3 on Saturday?

Also, it's Red Bull's home race - expect them to host some of the most-entertaining off-track activities. In fact, a jet pack operator will be present along with a legends parade.

Will Sergio Perez bounce back? Will Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton continue to battle for P2? And what about Ferrari...?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 32)

Follow our host on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

- The Austrian Grand Prix will feature two qualifying sessions and two races, offering double the excitement for Formula One fans.


- Red Bull Racing is the dominant team at the Red Bull Ring, with Max Verstappen seeking to extend his winning streak and claim two pole positions and two race victories.


- Several teams, including McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari, will bring upgrades to their cars, but they will have limited time to test them due to the condensed race weekend format.


- The FIA is considering a rule change that would allow teams to use a new set of soft tires in the third qualifying session (SQ3) on Saturday.


- Red Bull Racing is hosting various off-track activities for fans, including a jetpack operator and a legends parade.


- Sergio Perez will be looking to bounce back from his recent struggles, while Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will continue their battle for P2.


- The midfield teams will be vying for positions, with Williams potentially benefiting from the long straights, but facing challenges in the high downforce corners.


- The sprint qualifying format could lead to more overtaking opportunities, especially with three DRS zones on the circuit.


- Max Verstappen is on the verge of breaking Alberto Ascari's record for the most consecutive laps led in Formula One history.


- Red Bull Racing has a chance to become the fourth team to achieve 10 or more successive wins in Formula One.


- There is a peculiar trend at the Red Bull Ring, where a Red Bull driver has ended up in the gravel at Turn 4 after contact with a Mercedes-powered car in the past three years. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Austrian Grand Prix Preview

## Introduction

- The upcoming Austrian Grand Prix features a unique format with two qualifying sessions and two races, offering double the excitement for Formula 1 fans.
- The podcast hosts, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah, speculate on whether this format will lead to double fun or double dominance.

## Sprint and Grand Prix Format

- The last Sprint + Grand Prix weekend saw Charles Leclerc take pole position in Baku 2023, while George Russell won for Mercedes in Brazil 2022.
- The hosts anticipate that teams will leverage these statistics throughout the weekend.
- This weekend's format also presents a challenge for teams, as they will have limited time to test upgrades due to only one Free Practice session.

## Potential Rule Change

- The FIA may introduce a rule change regarding the use of a 'new soft' tire in SQ3 on Saturday.

## Red Bull's Home Race Festivities

- Red Bull, the host team for the Austrian Grand Prix, is known for hosting entertaining off-track activities.
- This year's festivities include a jet pack operator and a legends parade.

## Driver and Team Performance Predictions

- The hosts discuss the potential for Sergio Perez to bounce back, the ongoing battle between Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton for P2, and Ferrari's performance.

## Track Limits and Other Predictions

- Track limits are expected to be a significant factor, with the hosts predicting several drivers receiving warnings.
- The hosts also make predictions for the podium finishers, with Verstappen, Alonso, and Hamilton being the favorites.

## Notable Moments

- The hosts recall a humorous social media post by Valtteri Bottas, who shared a midsummer picture of his rear in response to a conversation about drivers' rears in the cool-down room.

## Conclusion

- The hosts invite listeners to join them for a live race screening in Mumbai and encourage them to listen to the Helmut Marko special interview.
- They express their hope for an entertaining race and remind listeners to subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast for the race review on Sunday.