As we move into the European swing of the 2024 Formula 1 season the races are coming thick and fast prior to the midyear break.
After Max Verstappen won in Spain we are heading up to Austria for one of the fastest races on the calendar at the Red Bull Ring.
Having returned to the schedule in 2014 after a major redevelopment, the venue offers one of the more unique races with just the ten corners and plenty of room for the drivers to hit the throttle.
Once again Verstappen will go into the race as the favourite, but the competition is inching ever closer with McLaren, Mercedes and others all trying to close the gap to the Dutchman in the standings.
Read on for our preview and best bets for this weekend in Austria.
Track Stats
- Direction: Clockwise
- Lap Distance: 4.318km
- Total Laps: 71
- Race Distance: 306.452km
- Lap Record: 1:05.619 (Carlos Sainz, FER, 2020)
- 2023 Podium: Max Verstappen (RBR), Charles Leclerc (FER), Sergio Perez (RBR)
- Most Event Wins: Max Verstappen (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Race Winner
Unfortunately for the field, Verstappen is perfectly suited to this track and even at his short price he looks like a good value play to win the race.
Having won this event in four of the last six years, Verstappen has had his struggles in the last few races but his consistency is unmatched and I’ll have something on him to win the race.
Max Verstappen to Win @ $1.50
Fastest Lap
While Verstappen has been consistently fast, the upgrades Mercedes have applied to their car have it flying in certain laps.
The World Championship leader has only taken out the fastest lap honour twice this season, whereas Mercedes have taken it out in three of the last four events.
Both drivers have shown significant improvement lately and Russell is at massive odds to set the fastest lap of the race.
George Russell Fastest Lap @ $6.50
Podium Finish
Here is the market to double down on George Russell after he finished just outside the top three in Barcelona.
It was his teammate Lewis Hamilton who finished 4.5 seconds clear for third place but Russell has won seven of the ten head to head battles in 2024.
George Russell Podium Finish @ $3.25
Points Finish
Neither Yuki Tsunoda nor Lance Stroll will have been overly happy with how their race went last weekend, having to settle for 19th and 14th respectively after multiple points finishes in the prior few races.
Both will be well suited to this track where high speeds are encouraged and there are only a few clear overtaking corners.
They have the confidence to back themselves in those corners and at over even money that’s the way to go in this market.
Yuki Tsunoda Points Finish @ $2.50
Lance Stroll Points Finish @ $2.75