Formula 1: What to watch for in the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix

Who will have the edge in round nine as Formula 1 heads to Austria? Here are the headlines for the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.

The Austrian Grand Prix, the second race of Formula 1‘s tripleheader, has had its on-track moments in recent years, particularly the last-lap battle between Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in 2016.

Leading up to the 2018 race, there is hope that the race at the Red Bull Ring will provide more on-track action and that Formula 1 will help it do so by adding a third DRS zone. After a dominant weekend in France during which he retook the lead of the driver standings, Hamilton will head to Austria hoping that he can finally pull away from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel en route to claiming his fifth title.

As the season moves closer to the summer break, talks of driver movement have increased over the last month or so. Will the talk about the “silly season” affect drivers in Austria?

Here is what to watch for in the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.

Third DRS zone, again

The FIA and Formula 1 are adamant about increasing overtaking in the sport after fan complaints and worry by drivers. The solution? A third DRS zone. The Red Bull Ring will now carry three DRS zones on the circuit’s three longest straights.

The third DRS zone will be along the main straight just after turn one down to turn three. Whether or not the 2.683-mile (4.318-kilometer) circuit needs that many DRS zones will definitely be a talking point this weekend and whether or not a third DRS zone will give F1 the overtake bonanza they’re hoping for is another.

So far this season, there has been a third DRS zone for the Australian Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix with underwhelming success. Will the third time be the charm?

Mercedes go big

In France, Mercedes finally debuted their delayed engine upgrade, and that aided Hamilton to a flawless and very convincing win at the Circuit Paul Ricard last Sunday. This week, Mercedes are going all out by adding their biggest aero update of the season.

With the Red Bull Ring being one of the more aero-sensitive tracks due to its overall length and the dirty air circulation from cars, Mercedes have updated the sidepods, mirrors and rear wing, and they have added winglets surrounding the front brakes and suspension to reduce airflow disturbance in and around sensitive areas of the car. Hamilton initially seems pleased by the upgrades and hopes they will “frighten” his rivals.

Silly season in Austria

The so-called silly season in Formula 1, which is when rumors of drivers with expiring contracts feed the interest of fans and those in the paddock about potential driver movement for the following season, has turned up in Austria this weekend.

It was reported earlier in the week that Hamilton is set to sign a two-year deal with Mercedes worth around $50 million per year and that that deal would be confirmed before the British Grand Prix next Sunday.

This report also highlights that Mercedes will likely retain Bottas at Hamilton’s request, However, those within Mercedes and Hamilton himself have kept relatively quiet regarding the report.