The 41st edition of the Austrian GP is set to take place this weekend from 08-10 July – who has the most poles?
Max Verstappen is the most successful driver from the current grid at the Austrian GP with three titles to his name while Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most consistent performers at this Grand Prix. However, surprisingly, it is Valtteri Bottas who has secured the most number of pole positions in the Austrian GP – three.
It was his one-lap superiority that helped Bottas score pole positions in 2017, 2018, and 2020. The former Mercedes driver was untouchable on a few of the circuits during his Mercedes career and the Red Bull ring was one of them.
Among Bottas’ three pole positions, it was his performance in 2017, which tops the lot. At the Austrian GP in 2017, Bottas beat both his teammate Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the process of securing pole position for the race. As icing on the cake, Bottas held on to the lead to win the race on Sunday. It was this race that made the paddock look differently at Bottas and made him into a driver who needed to be taken seriously.
Another intense Verstappen – Leclerc duel is on the cards in Austria. The Ferrari driver has to step up and push for a win if he has to cover the gap at the top of the drivers’ championship. The ever-consistent Sergio Perez and George Russell are certainly in contention for a podium finish along with the British GP winner Carlos Sainz.
All eyes will also certainly be on Lewis Hamilton, who is back in form with consecutive podium finishes.
P1 for Max Verstappen, P2 for Charles Leclerc and P3 for George Russell is our prediction for the Austrian GP.
In the United States, fans can catch the action on the ESPN Network. Viewers in the UK can watch every session from the start of the first practice session to the end of the race on Sky Sports. In India, the qualifying session and main race will be broadcast live on Star Sports. All practice sessions, qualifying sessions and the main race can be streamed live on Disney+Hotstar.
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