F1 2018: 5 Early Predictions for the Austrian GP

Formula One Testing
Formula One Testing

#2 Hamilton Starts below P5

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the...
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the...

While Lewis Hamilton has the lead in the championship and three wins so far this season, it might not be that he starts of his weekend in Austria in the same fashion. At the Red Bull Ring, it seems that the home team will be extremely well suited to the track. No doubt the Ferraris will have a good chance and will be out for vengeance after a middling French Grand Prix.

While Mercedes will certainly have a competitive car, and Hamilton is always a competitive driver, it seems like a perfect storm of things coming together to put the four-time champ out of his element. Even in his own team, Valtteri Bottas will be extra motivated to put on a show after a poor race in France.

Therefore with all of these factors in mind, we believe that both Red Bulls, both Ferraris and the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas will place ahead of Hamilton in qualifying, leaving the title contender to start his race from P6 at best.

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