Weekly Series "This weekend in racing": Pre-View Austrian Grand Prix - Drivers' Perspective

It has been 215 days since Formula 1 engines switched off at the season ending 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, now we are finally braced for the ready of the season with the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix this weekend!

F1 drivers are adapting to the 'new normal' as they play to empty stands, but the grand prize remains the same: F1 World Championship. This is what the 'big guns' had to say ahead of the first free practice session at Red Bull Ring:

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes:  "It will be a struggle. It's going to be the most challenging season I think we have ever faced and will ever face. But that's what we live for. We exist to be confronted with challenges and face it head on."

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari: “I’m ready to give it my all, even if it won’t be the same without the fans there supporting us. We have to be realistic when it comes to the pecking order seen at the tests, but we are not downhearted. It will also be unusual doing two races in a row, what we do in the first weekend will have an important effect on the second.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull: “The most important thing for me is to have a competitive car and to perform at my best. I never consider myself as a favourite because, so I don’t expect an easy win. I think Mercedes will be very strong again and they are the ones to beat."

Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes: "Right now it is difficult to say whether we will be the favourites or not. I feel good, I'm ready and loaded. I can't say anything else. I think the opponents have come closer and it was seen in pre-season."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: “It’s going to be a very challenging season for us, it is definitely not going to be easy. We still have this question mark, and we still need to wait for qualifying to be absolutely sure of what we say even though we are 99% sure that we will be struggling more than last year.”

Carlos Sainz, McLaren: "I will do everything to perform at my highest level and help the team. I've been keeping fit and ready to get back in the car, so I’m ready to hit the ground running in FP1."

Lando Norris, McLaren: “It’s not going to be easy for all of the drivers, but I think we’re all very good at what we do and I don’t think it would take us too long, probably laps really, to get back in the hang of really how to drive the car.”

Romain Grosjean, Haas: "Over a few races we will see how it goes, see what more we can do on the car, but for now, we're in a good place, hopefully, the car works well and we can have some fun."

Kevin Magnussen, Haas: "We’ll aim to have good, entertaining races to show on television. The atmosphere will obviously be different, not as good, but I’m personally very excited to get back in the car and get back to racing."

While there are no spectators are permitted this weekend in Spielberg, F1 fans can get into the spirit of things with choice official 2020 teamwear and products through our Paddock Legends Onlineshop.