Mercedes is coming: 'At that basis you have to say that'

Mercedes and Red Bull Racing will battle it out on pole position again on Saturday afternoon during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix. Although Max Verstappen seems to have the best papers, Lewis Hamilton is not to be underestimated for the time being.

The drivers already drove at the Austrian circuit last weekend, so the track holds no surprises. "Of course the teams had a week to think about the Grand Prix last weekend," poses Peter Windsor, who expects Red Bull to perform well again in Austria. "They will be effective like everybody else by the new Pirelli compound range which potentially could lead to more than just one-two stops strategy this weekend."

During the afternoon session Mercedes also made a good impression. Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were faster than Verstappen, leaving the Dutchman in third place. "At that basis, you have to say Mercedes have taken some downforce out of the car, rather than to making the car a little bit quicker."

Red Bull Racing is ahead of Mercedes in both championships for now. While Verstappen has 18 points more than Hamilton, the Austrian team has a 40-point lead over Mercedes.