Hamilton Warns England Fans as Ferrari Tipped to Shine in Austria

The Formula 1 paddock is shifting focus to Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix as team principals size up the competition. McLaren boss Andrea Stella predicts Ferrari will retain its cornering advantage at the Red Bull Ring, while Lewis Hamilton has cautioned England football fans against premature celebrations at the 2026 World Cup.

Why it matters:

As the season reaches a critical midpoint, rival principals are openly weighing who holds the upper hand at specific venues. Stella’s comments highlight that track characteristics—not raw pace alone—could decide which outfit seizes momentum in Austria, adding another strategic layer to a tight championship fight.

The details:

• Ferrari in the corners: Stella predicts the Scuderia will remain the benchmark through high-downforce sections despite Austria’s emphasis on straight-line braking and slower corners compared to recent races.
• Mercedes over one lap: When combining chassis balance and power unit output, Stella singled out Mercedes as potentially the strongest overall package on a single flying lap.
• Hamilton’s football caution: Speaking ahead of the World Cup, Hamilton urged England supporters to wait until the trophy is secured before singing "It’s Coming Home," reacting to premature celebrations after the Three Lions’ 4–2 opening win over Croatia.
• Verstappen’s Spa ribbing: GT3 teammate Daniel Juncadella jokingly called Max Verstappen "very inconsiderate" for skipping the 24 Hours of Spa to race at Zeltweg, poking fun at the Red Bull driver’s F1 schedule.

What's next:

The Austrian weekend will test whether Ferrari’s cornering prowess translates to the Red Bull Ring’s unique blend of low-speed turns and short straights. If Mercedes realizes its single-lap promise, the battle for pole and podium positions could become one of the fiercest of the season so far.