Hamilton to stop Rosberg’s unbeaten record in Austria to close gap on F1 leader
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | June 29, 2016
Austrian Grand Prix
- 2016 Formula 1
- Sunday, July 3rd
- Race starts: 13:00 BST
- Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria
- Live on Sky Sports F1
Rosberg hoping for hat-trick in Austria
Nico Rosberg will have been glad to end a three-race run without winning, after claiming the inaugural Azerbaijan Formula 1 title in the returning European Grand Prix last time out.
His success a fortnight ago means that the German has now extended his advantage at the top of the Drivers’ Championship leaderboard to 24 points after letting it slip to just nine.
And Rosberg’s return to form comes at the right time as the next Grand Prix in Austria happens to be on a track where he has a 100 per cent record at.
While there have only been two editions of this race since 2003, it’s still a commendable feat to be the only current driver to have triumphed at the Red Bull Ring, and he is a tasty 13/8 chance with Coral to claim a hat-trick here.
Hamilton still well within reach of Rosberg
However, his Mercedes teammate and F1 champion Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to get back to winning ways, and close the gap once more after having to settle for 5th place in Azerbaijan.
The British star came second here in both appearances behind Rosberg, and is the 6/5 favourite to stop the German’s run. Hamilton did finish on pole last time out though, and so is evens to be fastest qualifier again.
Williams veteran Felipe Massa, who also raced here in 2002, has enjoyed his two most recent outings at Austria having come third last year and finished on pole in 2014. The 35-year-old Brazilian is 6/1 to be on the podium for the first time in 2016 and a whopping 80/1 to be fastest qualifier.
Can Vettel claim maiden title of 2016?
If you fancy Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel to get a maiden victory of the season, after finishing second in the last two races and being on the podium in four of the eight Grands Prix so far, then back him at 7/1. The German four-time F1 champion is odds-on at 4/7 to be in the top three again.
As for Sergio Perez, the Mexican has had a fine recent few weeks, finishing third in the last two races, so is 9/2 to do so again. The Force India star is a tempting even-money price just to be in the top six too.
Others in the running to win here include Red Bull duo Daniel Ricciardo (16/1) and Max Verstappen (25/1) on their team’s fellow sponsored track. While, Kimi Raikkonen, who came second here in 2003, is 25/1 to win and 9/2 for his fourth podium finish of the campiagn.
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