Max Verstappen is expecting the upcoming 2023 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring to be a hectic one, as it will be a Sprint weekend, of which he’s not a fan.
It will be the next Sprint weekend of the 2023 Formula 1 season at Spielberg in a few days’ time, with the new Sprint weekend applied that features one practice session only on Friday followed by Qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Saturday will feature the Sprint Shootout to set the starting grid for the Sprint Race after that.
“This is the second Sprint race of the season, they are always more hectic and complex compared to a normal race,” Verstappen said in Red Bull‘s Austrian Grand Prix preview. “The weather looks a bit unpredictable too so it will definitely mix things up a little bit.
“Of course Austria is a home race for us,” he pointed out. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the support again at the track, hopefully we’ll put on a good show for everyone in the grandstands. We always enjoy coming back to Austria and I’m excited to try to add another trophy to the collection for the Team.
“We’ve had some good results there already so let’s see what we can do,” the Dutchman added referring to his four wins at Spielberg.
Sergio Perez’s focus will be on the track
Sergio Perez who dominated the first Sprint weekend this season in Azerbaijan, and is looking to put his struggled behind and deliver a clean weekend.
He said: “It’s always a great race in Austria, it’s obviously the home of Red Bull and that makes it extra special for all of us in the Team. I also can’t believe how many Mexican fans make the trip, every year on the green carpet arriving into the circuit I see the Mexico flag, which makes me smile.
“For me my focus will be on track though because I know how important it is for me to have a consistent weekend and really produce a result, I know I am capable of,” the Mexican insisted.
“The weather looks like it could be tricky and it’s a Sprint weekend so time in the car to set-up will be minimal and critical, we must maximise every moment we have to prepare. I had fun at the last Sprint weekend in Baku and it was a very successful time but at a very different circuit.
“I want to achieve the same again but know I need to step up to achieve that,” Perez concluded.