Max Verstappen is officially the man to beat in the top series of motorsport. He took an untroubled start-to-finish win at the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix to complete a much hoped-for home triumph for Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman drew level with Alain Prost, who is the only Formula 1 driver to previously take three Grand Prix wins in Austria. The thrills continue next week at Spielberg in the Formula 1 BWT Großer Preis von Österreich 2021.
Tickets for the race weekend from 2 to 4 July can be found here.
THE RACE
Max Verstappen made a flawless start from pole position, defending his lead masterfully against Lewis Hamilton before continually extending his advantage. The Dutchman remained ahead of his fiercest rival for the world title after the pit stops. The British driver took second place and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas completed the podium.
Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner was delighted, saying: “It was a fantastic win for the team at our home race! We are in sensational form, and we will do everything to keep that up.”
The race from the driver’s perspective:
Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull Racing): “I had a good balance in the car right from the start. It was the right decision to go easy on the tyres. They kept going right to the end. We put in some top lap times. Making that kind of start in our home race is perfect, of course. We have to show again next week that we’re better!”
Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes): “It was a lonely race for me. I tried to keep up, but the speed wasn’t there for it. It’s difficult to say what this speed is down to. We are just losing too much on the straights. We need some kind of upgrade.”
Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes): “I got the maximum I could from the starting position. It was a damage limitation exercise. They are good points for the team. I hope we don’t get any penalties next week and can press on even more.”
Flying Bulls, Andreas Gabalier and Austrian Armed Forces warm up fans
As is tradition by now at the Red Bull Ring, there was an air display from the Flying Bulls before the F1 engines roared to start the race. With his interpretation of the Styrian regional anthem, Andreas Gabalier also warmed the fans up for the Styrian Grand Prix, while the Austrian Armed Forces made sure the Austrian flag featured prominently by flying it with an Agusta Bell 212 helicopter and taking the Styrian regional flag with a Alouette III straight over the starting grid.
Online dating with F1 stars at the Red Bull Ring
A select group of fans had the chance with the Virtual Styrian Green Carpet to be in a live online meeting as the stars arrived to the paddock of the Red Bull Ring. The drivers enjoyed the chance to greet the fans and chat with them on the screen. This exclusive form of online dating will return, of course, next weekend at the Formula 1 BWT Großer Preis von Österreich 2021.
Anyone who wants to be there live on Saturday or Sunday from 9:00 to 12:00 has the unique chance to register here!
After the race is before the race!
Next weekend at the Formula 1 BWT Großer Preis von Österreich 2021 (2 to 4 July) there will be no spectator restrictions for fans at the Red Bull Ring. You are recommended to get tickets in advance.
#AustrianGP with full entertainment
Side events at the racing circuit and in the air as well as live music and Euro 2020 public viewing in the F1 Fan Zone guarantee loads of entertainment for the fans.
Watch the highlights of the #StyrianGP:
