Can upgrades spark Verstappen in Austria?

MAX Verstappen leads Red Bull into their home Austrian Grand Prix this weekend hoping a major upgrades package can boost his title defence before it is too late.

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The four-time world champion, who still needs to avoid any on-track problems that could lead to a mandatory race ban, has won four times at the high-speed Red Bull Ring circuit in the Styrian Alps, and will be backed by his ‘orange army’ of fans.

But he knows that combination may not be enough.

McLaren's championship-leading duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who collided in Canada, are hoping to return to form after that rare off-day in a forecasted heatwave on a circuit expected to suit their car.

Last year’s winner George Russell of Mercedes, who took advantage of McLaren's struggles in Montreal to win with aplomb ahead of Verstappen, will arrive with momentum and optimism, if wary of the heat.

“We are getting an update for Austria, which will be refined for Silverstone,” Red Bulls consultant Helmut Marko told Austria’s Kleine Zeitung.