Stunning fight and Ferrari drama: Highlights of the Styrian Grand Prix

This race weekend the 20 drivers will battle for victory during the Steiermark Grand Prix. This Grand Prix is held at the Red Bull Ring and is named after the Austrian province in which this circuit is located. What happened here in 2020, and what does this Austrian doubleheader predict for the ongoing battle between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes?

The Styrian Grand Prix is one of the newer races and was hosted for the first time in 2020. Amid the corona pandemic and the cancellation of a number of races, the Austrian Red Bull Ring hosted a race twice, as will also be the case in 2021. Max Verstappen crossed the finish line in third last year, while the race was won by Lewis Hamilton, who remained unchallenged from pole position.

A brilliant battle between Valtteri Bottas and Verstappen marked the final phase of the Grand Prix. Bottas attempted to overtake the Dutchman on the straight on lap 66 but should have known that the Red Bull driver would not give in without a fight. Verstappen immediately crossed and recaptured his P2 by overtaking on the outside. After a wheel-to-wheel showdown that lasted an entire lap, Bottas did manage to turn the stronger Mercedes power unit to his advantage the second time around on the straight. Nevertheless, the question remains whether the Dutchman, with the improved Honda engine under his seat, can give the Finn a taste of his own medicine this weekend.

Ferrari debacle

Another telling image of the 2020 season as well as the Styrian Grand Prix in that year specifically concerns the Ferrari drama. In the opening stages of the race, then teammates Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided harshly. Vettel immediately lost part of his rear wing, and Leclerc suffered a badly damaged floor. End of session for both drivers, and an even icier relationship between Vettel and the Scuderia.