2021 Styrian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship by twelve points over Hamilton. Red Bull lead the Constructors’ by 37 points over Mercedes.

Previous race

At Paul Ricard, Verstappen lost the lead at turn 1 on the opening lap. He recovered with an undercut at his first stop and then pitted a second time from the lead, rejoining 18 seconds behind Hamilton. He made up the deficit to overtake Bottas on lap 44 and Hamilton on the penultimate lap to win. It was the first race of the season with no retirements.

Practice

Verstappen was fastest in FP1 ahead of Gasly and Hamilton. In FP2, Verstappen again led — but Hamilton’s faster lap was deleted for a track limits violation — with Ricciardo second and Ocon third. Bottas spun in the pit lane after leaving in second gear and was penalised with a three-place grid drop and two penalty points. Gasly did not participate in FP2 as AlphaTauri attempted to diagnose an engine fault. Hamilton topped FP3 ahead of Verstappen and Bottas.

Car upgrades

Red Bull bring a new floor and diffuser for this event, adding downforce in slower corners and allowing the team to reduce drag elsewhere.