Verstappen: “If this kind of overtaking is not allowed, I don’t see the point of driving in Formula 1”
The winner of the day defends himself following the contentious action on the 69th lap, which currently earns him the victory! On his side, Charles Leclerc is very bitter...
Here is the most epic race finish of this season /f1/actualite/23372-vettel-on-his-penalty-they-stole-the-race-from-us-.html! Wound up like a clock, Max Verstappen got rid of Charles Leclerc to seize victory at the second corner of the 69th lap. Using DRS, the Dutchman took the lead with force, braking late and leaving no room for his opponent. This action is the bone of contention in a spectacular Austrian Grand Prix!
For his part, Verstappen naturally defended himself as he got out of the car, on Martin Brundle’s microphone.
Verstappen: « It’s tough but if we can’t do that, we might as well stay home. If this kind of overtaking is not allowed, I don’t see the point of driving in Formula 1. »
In any case, such a race finish was unthinkable after a complicated start and a stall on the impulse. After this start, I thought the race was over! I had a flat on my tire, but I was still able to attack. Once the stop was over, I was flying, confessed the main interested party, who successively got rid of Räikkönen, Norris, Vettel, and Bottas, before tackling Leclerc. It brought a wide smile to Verstappen’s face, winner of his sixth Grand Prix in his career. With a word for Honda, who wins their first race as an engine supplier in nearly 13 years: we had good straight-line speed to overtake. I am delighted for the team and Honda!
On his side, Charles Leclerc did not hide his disappointment, stepping back during the podium festivities. Clearly, the Monegasque was sulking, having lost the victory two laps before the finish.
Overall, the race was good. But I experienced more degradation with my tires towards the end, which allowed Max to catch up.
On the contentious action of the 69th lap, Leclerc’s verdict is final:
Leclerc: « On the car side, it was pretty clear. I was on the outside the previous lap and it was okay because he
(Verstappen) left me some space at the exit of the corner. But he didn’t do it on the next lap and we made contact!
Hardly appeased, Leclerc confirmed his disappointment on the Canal+ microphone in the Parc Fermé:
« The race was quite good. We could have stayed a bit longer on the first stint… but I’m annoyed with Max. I’ll still let the stewards decide. We’ll see!
»
Before the stewards’ final decision, led by Tom Kristensen, it was Red Bull that broke Mercedes’ beautiful series, unbeaten in /f1/actualite/23372-vettel-sur-sa-penalite-ils-nous-ont-vole-la-course-.html until the arrival in Austria. **For Verstappen and Leclerc, everything is actually decided at 6 PM**, as both drivers are summoned by race management to explain the highlight action of this Grand Prix. If the Montreal precedent is applied, it’s difficult for Verstappen to escape a five-second penalty, which would deprive him of victory…
