An increased level of perfection is what Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris expect from Formula 1’s double-header in Austria.
It will be the first time in the sport’s 70-year history that two championship races will take place on one circuit, when the Red Bull Ring hosts both the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend and Styrian GP just seven days later.
Efforts were made to add some variety to the second race through the introduction of a qualifying reverse grid sprint race, only for it to be blocked by Mercedes.
But even with the same format for both weekends, Vettel sees it as a new challenge.
“I have no experience heading back to the same track just a week after and having a second race, but I’ve been around for a while,” he commented in a Ferrari interview.
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“I guess the level of perfection will be even higher the second weekend, the level of errors will be even smaller.
“I think there will be a chance to look at the race in particular, review the strategy and we get another chance just seven days after, so that’s a first, and we’ll see how we tackle that challenge.”
Likewise Norris predicts the Styrian GP will be an evolution of what happens this weekend, but the McLaren driver is still thrilled to be back racing.
“I’m pleased we’re getting started again in Austria, it’s a great, fast, track and we performed well there last year,” he said.
“It will be an interesting challenge to race there two weekends in a row, but also a great opportunity to analyse how the first race could have panned out differently and adjust our strategy for the second.
“I expect all of the grid will be feeling a bit rusty going into FP1, but I’m sure we’ll all be back up to speed when it comes to qualifying on Saturday.
“It will be a real shame not to have the fans at the track as we feel their support, but safety is the priority and we’ll be doing everything we can to give them a good show.”