Max Verstappen hopes that Red Bull has played a tactical master shot in qualifying that will allow him to achieve a third successive Formula 1 victory in Austria.
Verstappen will start from third on the grid at the Red Bull Ring after finishing half a second behind the duo of Mercedes Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, a seismic gap around the shortest track on the calendar in terms of lap time.
But the race can still make it to Verstappen, who will be the only driver in the top 10 to start on the medium compound tire compared to the smooth riders around him.
“I am happy to be P3,” said Verstappen. “But we also have a different starting tire, so it will be interesting, and it will be a little warmer tomorrow, so I hope that is an advantage for us.”
The race was run in stifling conditions last season when Verstappen triumphed using cooler tires late compared to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with the heat severely hitting Mercedes.
“Last year we were always a little bit out of qualifying so I hope to be a little bit better in the race,” added Verstappen.
“I am the only one with a different tire in the top 10, I am just looking forward to it, we have nothing to lose. I will try to make it as difficult as possible for them.”
Team principal Christian Horner also feels the battle for the tires and the weather could play for Red Bull.
“Mercedes gave a dominant performance today, but it was also a positive start for us, with Max qualifying at P3 and Alex [Albon] at P5, “Horner said.
“We made a bold strategy decision, which resulted in Max being the only driver in the top 10 to start on the medium tire, giving us many strategic options for the race.”
“Temperatures will also rise tomorrow, which helped us win last year, giving us the confidence to take the fight to Mercedes.”
Before you leave…
Hamilton in danger of grid penalty in Austria
“We are in a league of our own” – Bottas greets Mercedes after Austrian pole
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