Austria: the highs and lows from the editorial team

Les tops

Verstappen breathtaking

Already the winner in Spielberg, the Dutchman struck a dramatic blow once again! Nevertheless, nothing suggested such an outcome after the first lap. Poorly launched, Verstappen lost five positions between the start and the first corner. Dropping to seventh, the Red Bull driver delivered a legendary comeback. If the first part was just an appetizer, with overtakes on Norris and Räikkönen, Verstappen’s race truly gained momentum after his pit stop at the end of the 31st lap.

What a second part of the race! On a perfect strategy, Verstappen delivered three spectacular overtakes on Vettel, Bottas, and especially on Leclerc on lap 69. Obviously, the last overtake is the most controversial and will spark debate, especially regarding the FIA’s consistency in its decisions. But clearly, Verstappen earned his victory by stringing together a series of fastest laps just before taking the lead. And while the overtake is indeed aggressive, the Dutchman was on par with Leclerc in his maneuver for the win. In a season so sanitized by Mercedes’ domination and FIA regulations, this race is refreshing, and Verstappen played a significant role! One might almost hope Toto Wolff picks up the phone this summer to offer him a contract alongside Lewis Hamilton next year.

It decided the race

Now the stewards need to decide on this lap 69 pass #AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/seyqDmRMVT — Formula 1 (@F1) 30 juin

Leclerc would have deserved it too

How painful this outcome is for the little Monegasque prince. Charles Leclerc had done everything right this Austrian weekend: a brilliant pole and a well-managed race, keeping Valtteri Bottas at a good distance. But the former Sauber driver could do nothing against Verstappen’s comeback. In fact, the fault mainly lies with Scuderia Ferrari, who didn’t dare to equip the medium tires in Q2 to start with them. Clearly, the lack of freshness of his hard tires at the end of the race cost him dearly!

Still without a Grand Prix victory, Leclerc nonetheless impressed again, temporarily taking the lead at Ferrari after Vettel’s technical issue in qualifying. Regarding Leclerc’s reaction upon arrival, it’s hard to fault him: his disappointment is entirely legitimate. Yes, the FIA could have penalized Verstappen given the precedent set since the beginning of the season. Yes, Leclerc has the makings of a world champion and cannot be satisfied with this second place. Before claiming his first title, he must first unlock the counter with a Grand Prix win. Will it come this summer? We sincerely hope so, following a new high-stakes duel against Verstappen or Hamilton, who knows!

Norris shines again!

What a season start for the British rookie! While Carlos Sainz was too burdened with his penalty, Lando Norris held the fort for McLaren, and in what fashion! Sixth in Q3, the F2 vice champion didn’t flinch during the race, even allowing himself the luxury of threatening Hamilton’s Mercedes in the first lap! Then, Norris skillfully managed his race, notably overtaking Räikkönen’s Alfa Romeo.

“To well-born souls, worth does not wait for the number of years”: Corneille’s maxim fits Norris like a glove, who also followed a perfect one-stop strategy, from soft to medium tires. A rather daring but rewarding gamble since Norris outpaced Gasly’s Red Bull. In the end, Norris equaled his best score in Bahrain. Combined with Sainz’s fine eighth place, this weekend solidifies McLaren’s status as fourth in the championship!

Another potential top, let’s salute the great performance of the Alfa Romeo team, which places both of its cars in the top 10 for the first time this season. The outcome is positive, with Räikkönen climbing up to fourth place at the start of the race, finishing in ninth place. In tenth, Antonio Giovinazzi capitalized on his seventh place on the grid, which was well worth a little scissor cut!

A promise is a promise.. (especially with your boss). ✂️

#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/TEQydDLyU1

— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) June 30 /f1/actualite/23426-verstappen-si-ce-genre-de-depassement-nest-pas-autorise-je-ne-vois-pas-linteret-de-piloter-en-formule-1.html

The flops

Gasly worsens his case

The tumble continues for the Frenchman, and in what manner! Outshone by his teammate, who took all the spotlight at Red Bull’s home race; Gasly thus struggled from the qualifiers, six-tenths behind Verstappen, ninth, beaten by Magnussen, Norris, and both Alfa Romeos!

His race gave a sense of déjà vu: with a cruel lack of aggression, Gasly only managed to overtake Räikkönen and finished his Grand Prix stuck behind Norris’s McLaren. The painful image is of the Frenchman having to pull over to let Leclerc and Verstappen pass, a duo lapping him!

Cette fois, pour Gasly c’est l’alerte rouge: après avoir qualifié ses performances d’ “inacceptables” pendant le week-end Helmut Marko réfléchit peut-être déjà à un nouvel avenir pour lui… hors de la Red Bull ! Va-t-il subir les affres d’une relégation chez Toro Rosso en lieu et place de Daniil Kyvat ? Au vu des rumeurs du paddock, la possibilité est réelle. Heureusement, le Russe n’a guère performé ce week-end…

📱 “I’m a really competitive guy and there is work to do.” @PierreGasly on the #AustrianGP 🇦🇹👉 https://t.co/MNAayiku4x #F1 pic.twitter.com/k61vyHz97N

— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) 30 juin /f1/actualite/23426-verstappen-si-ce-genre-de-depassement-nest-pas-autorise-je-ne-vois-pas-linteret-de-piloter-en-formule-1.html

Big downturn for Toro Rosso

Indeed, it’s the only good news for Pierre Gasly: the complete lack of competitiveness of the sister car. With the same engine, Scuderia Toro Rosso struggled, with Kvyat even falling behind George Russell’s Williams at the start of the race! The rest of the Grand Prix was slightly more positive, but with a paltry 15th place as their best finish, courtesy of Alexander Albon, the outcome for Toro Rosso is dismal. Kvyat ended up 17th, trailing behind a constantly sliding Grosjean in his Haas.

In the duel between the two drivers, Albon still had the merit of making it into Q2 unlike Kyvat. Will this make Helmut Marko think for the future? Meanwhile, the Faenza team seems to be regressing since the Monaco Grand Prix in May…

“It just wasn’t our day today, it was one of those weekends where we were far away from everything. We know we’re better than this, so we need to reset and move forward” – @kvyatofficial

Full team and driver quotes 📱https://t.co/WowWpcxF7q https://t.co/mEttxyyUvL

— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) June 30

Renault also out of the game

Another team in trouble this weekend in Austria! The men from Enstone also leave with a zero in their bags. Logical in the end, given an already complicated start to the weekend, marked by setup issues. Starting 12th, Ricciardo’s strategy didn’t work, with a very long stint on medium tires resulting in a missed opportunity.

For honor, the Australian overtook Hülkenberg in the last lap… But this action was only for the benefit of 12th place! Clearly, the R.S.19 was not comfortable on this very specific Red Bull Ring track. The promises of Canada three weeks ago seem far away! The summer will be crucial for Cyril Abiteboul’s troops, now twenty points behind fourth place, held by McLaren, with the same engine in the car. Clearly, this is a mess!

We will use the upcoming week to dive into the data, understand what is happening, and make improvements before Silverstone. Find our report on the #AustrianGP. 👇 #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/4XqhX9K9X5 — Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) June 30

Another potential flop, the (relative) lack of pace from Mercedes after eight almost perfect races. The reason for this slight underperformance is due to the engine, overheating on this track, at 660 meters altitude. We have therefore found a real flaw in the W10!