Styria – Top 3 Reactions: Hamilton, “it was important for me to bounce back”

Lewis Hamilton (1st)

Author of a commanding pole position on Saturday afternoon, Lewis Hamilton started first in this Styrian Grand Prix.

« I gave it my all in qualifying yesterday, and also today » admitted the Briton once he crossed the finish line as the winner.

He had his work cut out for him with a determined Max Verstappen eager to make up for the previous weekend’s scoreless performance. Swiftly, Hamilton managed to keep himself safe from the Dutchman and his DRS. He had a calm race, never troubled by his pursuers.

Red Bull had pace, but I managed to stay ahead every lap » noted Hamilton.

Like Max Verstappen, the Briton had to bring in big points today to catch up in the drivers’ standings, especially with his teammate Valtteri Bottas.

It was important for me to bounce back after the last weekend. It’s the first weekend where I felt fully focused, I was last week too, but the differences are made on small percentages.

I was a bit below par last weekend, and it cost me points in the race. It was important to digest all that to start the week, recharge the batteries, and tackle the following weekend properly. I couldn’t be happier.

Perfect weekend for Lewis Hamilton who leaves Austria in second place in the drivers’ championship, with 37 points, just six points behind his teammate, Valtteri Bottas. A well-managed accounting operation because in recent years the Red Bull Ring had not been favorable to the British driver, who had not made it to the podium since his previous victory in 2016!

« It was important for me to bounce back after last weekend. It’s the first weekend where I felt fully focused, I was also focused last week but the differences are made on small percentages. »

14 seasons in F1

14 seasons with at least one race win

An amazing winning streak from an amazing driver #AustrianGP ???????? #F1 @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/WqimjmYznZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 12, 2020

Valtteri Bottas (2nd)

Struggling in the rain during qualifying, he started from 4th place on the grid this Sunday. He had to limit the damage by trying to catch up with Carlos Sainz (McLaren) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull).

« I fought with Max, I managed to limit the damage! It’s not so bad to finish 2nd. This Saturday wasn’t an ideal day for me ».

He therefore faced the Dutch driver from the Red Bull team at the end of the race, who was lacking pace with a damaged front wing.

« I had a great battle with him (editor’s note: Max Verstappen), I had a bit more pace than him at the end of the race, and it’s always nice to fight so close to each other.

Valtteri Bottas leaves Austria as the leader of the drivers’ championship with 43 points, an ideal start to the season for the Mercedes driver.

« I could have been more satisfied, but it’s not bad for these first two races. I’m looking forward to Hungary.

“I could have been more satisfied but it’s not bad for these first two races.”

Max Verstappen (3rd)

The Dutch driver from Red Bull had high hopes for the rain during yesterday’s qualifying. Making a mistake at the last corner, he had to settle for 2nd place, nearly 1.2 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton.

He had a great race but, hampered by a damaged front wing on a curb, he had to relinquish his 2nd place to Valtteri Bottas.

« I think I hit a vibrator » admitted the Dutchman, without knowing exactly which one and when during the race.

I was attacking hard, trying to stay as close as possible to the Mercedes, to Lewis at least. I lost a bit of grip because of that, but what we need to look at is how to improve the situation. It’s not enough to make the difference against the Mercedes, I hope it will be a bit better in Hungary.

Finally third after his pit stop, Verstappen had tried for a few corners to resist Bottas’s Mercedes. First overtaken on the straight between turns 2 and 3, the #33 driver regained position a few seconds later, thanks to a beautiful maneuver on the outside of turn five.

« Until that moment in the race, it was a bit boring for me. When he passed me, I was able to counterattack. I checked to see if it could work… and it worked!

But I knew that on the next lap he would pass me again… At least I had fun.

“It’s not enough to make a difference against the Mercedes, I hope it will be a bit better in Hungary.”

LAP 67 & 68/71

Brilliant stuff from Verstappen and Bottas

Max holds off Valtteri before the Finn finally gets past and up to P2 #AustrianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/pbpl1mQJwe

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 12, 2020