Good things come in small packages, and the Red Bull Ring is a pocket-sized gem of a race circuit, packing plenty of punch into its seven (real) corner layout, with elevation changes, cambers and track deformation. It’s also a track of two halves, with three DRS straights on the first offering plenty of overtaking opportunities, and the sequence of high-speed corners on the second pushing tyres to the limit.
This makes this a race where teams will be looking for the quickest way to the finish, rather than worrying too much about track position, but also one where having the right tyre at the right time can prove vital. A week after a tight Spanish Grand Prix, the taste of Saturday’s Sprint Race suggests another pitched battle awaits.