Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) travels to Austria as championship leader but his toughest rivals in he battle for the title, Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) ad Lucas Auer (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), are just waiting for the 17-year old Lotus Formula 1 junior to make a mistake. And in addition, it’s the home event for Austrian driver Lucas Auer.

Auer succeeded in making for several highlights in the season to date. The young gun who resides in Kufstein secured his best result in the season at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg by winning the qualifying session for the fourth round of the season – and the race, too. Furthermore, he secured another six podiums in Pau, at Spa-Francorchamps, Budapest and the Norisring and currently holds sixth position in the championship.

The positions one and two are held by two rookies: Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing). In the 21 races contested to date, Ocon secured 18 podiums and eight race wins respectively. Having won all the three races at Moscow, he travels to Austria with boosted confidence. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen even succeeded in winning six consecutive races – at Spa-Francorchamps and the Norisring. The 16-year old Dutchman – even a year younger than the championship leader – clinched 11 podiums and seven race wins, so far.

The grid of the Austrian FIA Formula 3 European Championship meeting will feature a new driver: Alfonso Celis (Fortec Motorsports). The 18-year old Mexican who already made a guest appearance in last years FIA Formula 3 European Championship event at Zandvoort will race a Dallara-Mercedes entered by the British squad Team Fortec Motorsports. And Edward Jones (Carlin) from the United Arab Emirates will make his comeback at the wheel of his Dallara Volkswagen #6 after a four-event injury lay-off.

Lucas Auer (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport): “It goes without saying that I’m looking forward to my home event. Furthermore, I really like the circuit. The double left- and right-handers represent a particular challenge as you can lose a lot of time there, if you fail to find the perfect line. At the same time, I also look forward to meting my family that will support me on site. I’m highly motivated in any race, no matter where, but it’s just nicer to celebrate your successes with your family and your friends. Quite obviously, I also will give my very best in the three races at the Red Bull ring and I wouldn’t mind if I would make it to the highest step of podium, in some of them.”