Max Verstappen once again showcased his exceptional skills & abilities at Red Bull Ring by winning his 5th Formula 1 race in a row. This impressive win also made his lead in the world championship even stronger. The Dutchman's dominant display at the Austrian GP left his competitors in awe and further solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
Having already won the Sprint contest on Saturday, Verstappen continued his impressive form from pole position. Despite a momentary setback when he opted not to pit under an early Virtual Safety Car, Verstappen regained control and held off the competition to finish five seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc. This victory extended his lead in the world championship by a staggering 81 points.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, engaged in a thrilling late battle with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and ultimately secured third place, ensuring both Red Bulls stood on the podium at their home race. The team's outstanding performance showcased their remarkable teamwork and smart decision-making.
The Austrian GP was not without its share of drama, as several drivers struggled with track limits throughout the race. As a result, multiple time penalties were handed out both during and after the race. In fact, a total of eight drivers received post-race penalties after stewards reviewed numerous infringements that led to the deletion of 83 lap times.
Among those affected by penalties were Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom received 10-second penalties post-race. This demoted Sainz from fourth to sixth and Hamilton from seventh to eighth in the final classification.
Despite the penalties and challenges faced, Lando Norris showcased his exceptional skills at the Red Bull Ring, securing a commendable fourth place finish. Fernando Alonso also delivered a solid performance, claiming fifth for Aston Martin. Meanwhile, George Russell impressively climbed from 11th on the grid to eighth, surpassing Hamilton after the Mercedes driver faced penalties.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Alpine's Pierre Gasly completed the points-scoring positions, with Gasly receiving a 10-second penalty that pushed him down to 10th place. Esteban Ocon, Gasly's teammate, faced the most significant penalties, accumulating a total of 30 seconds worth of penalties.
Looking ahead, the governing body of Formula 1 suggested adding a gravel trap at the exits of Turns 9 and 10 in an effort to deter drivers from exceeding track limits at next year's Austrian GP.
With Verstappen's 42nd F1 victory, he is now ahead of Ayrton Senna in 5th place on all time list of winners. His commanding lead in the championship positions him well for a potential third successive drivers' title. On the other hand, Red Bull is on a winning streak this season, won all 9 races so far, including 2 Sprint races.
The Austrian GP showcased the remarkable skill and determination of the drivers and teams, setting the stage for more thrilling races in the upcoming Grand Prix events. With Verstappen's continued dominance and Red Bull's impressive performance, the prospect of an unbeaten season becomes increasingly realistic with each passing race.
Austrian GP Result:
Max Verstappen, Red Bull
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sergio Perez, Red Bull
Lando Norris, McLaren
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari*
George Russell, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes*
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
(*Sainz, Hamilton, and Gasly received 10-second time penalties post-race, affecting their final positions.)
Verstappen's exceptional performance at the Austrian GP further solidifies his position as a frontrunner in the championship and leaves fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming races.