The Austrian Grand Prix has been the scene of controversy over the years, largely due to the nature of the circuit and how it promotes racing.
Drivers effectively negotiate only nine corners at the Red Bull Ring, with it being one of the shortest tracks on the calendar.
The long straights are perfect for cars to slipstream, while drivers also have the use of DRS to get close to the other.
It’s why the Austrian GP has produced some great moments over the years, and it could see several records broken this year, including a special one for Kimi Antonelli.
Photo by Luca Martini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Kimi Antonelli has last chance to beat Lance Stroll record in Austrian GP
Kimi Antonelli already stunned the F1 world with his podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, in which the Mercedes driver overtook title contender Oscar Piastri at the start.
While he was just short of Max Verstappen’s record for the youngest F1 race winner, he can still surpass Lance Stroll’s record for the youngest front row starter.
Stroll set his record at the 2017 Italian GP, where he was promoted to second after grid penalties for both Red Bull’s in qualifying. At 18 years, 10 months and five days, Stroll’s record could be broken by Antonelli by two days.
Elsewhere, if McLaren secure pole and win it will be the 100th time in the history of the team that it has happened, while Verstappen will be searching for a sixth win at the track.
It’s six at the Red Bull Ring because of the addition of the Styrian GP in 2020, with Verstappen on course to potentially allow Red Bull to equal both Ferrari and Mercedes at the track.
Carlos Sainz currently holds lap record at Red Bull Ring
The lap record at the Red Bull Ring is currently held by Carlos Sainz, who set it during the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix while driving for McLaren.
The 1:05.619s was achieved 68 laps into the race, with the Spaniard also bagging an additional point back when that was offered.
F1 has seen a few lap records broken in qualifying this year, but there has yet to have been one set officially during the race.
The Austria circuit features the fewest corners on the F1 calendar, with just 10 turns making up the 2.6 mile layout.
