2023-07-02 16:15:00
SPIELBERG, Austria — Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen continued his march to a third consecutive title by dominating the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Verstappen started from the lead position for a fourth race in a row and he signed a fifth victory in a row. Winner of seven of the nine events this season, the Dutchman increased his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings to 81 points, ahead of his teammate at Red Bull Sergio Pérez.
“I think our runs were perfect, so it was a great day and I had fun,” Verstappen said. I just enjoy driving this car and racing for this team. »
At the end of the race, Verstappen even tried his luck for the fastest lap, despite his team’s reluctance to take the risk. He got that extra point in the last lap to complete a perfect weekend.
“I saw the gap and I said to myself that I had to go back to the pits, he said. From the outside, it looks like a big risk, but when you’re inside the car, that’s not the case at all. »
The 25-year-old driver obtained a 42nd victory in Formula 1, which placed him ahead of Ayrton Senna for fifth place in history in this chapter.
Charles Leclerc, who triumphed in Austria last year, finished 5.2 seconds behind Verstappen to take second place. Pérez completed the podium, 17.2 seconds behind.
But Verstappen’s margin of victory narrowed due to a late pit stop. It was another comfortable win for Red Bull on its track at Spielberg.
Quebecer Lance Stroll finished the race in 10th place to score a point for the Aston Martin team.
Making a good start from the lead position, Verstappen held off Leclerc in Turns 2 and 3 and he easily regained the lead when the Monegasque entered the pits halfway through this 71-lap race at the start. ‘Red Bull ring.
“The first lap was the most important for me. To stay ahead so we can execute our own plan,” Verstappen said.
It was only a second podium this season for Leclerc, but it gave him a sense of optimism.
“The improvements we’ve made make me feel better. It looks good for the future, he said. Obviously there is still work to do because Max and Sergio have a lot of pace. »
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. and several others received a five-second penalty for leaving the track limits.
Perez started from 15th position and he passed Sainz with 10 laps to go to register his first podium since his second place victory in Miami two months ago.
“It’s a nice comeback,” Perez said. It was a difficult sequence for me, but I hope to be back on track and to be able to maintain this consistency. »
Sainz finished fourth ahead of McLaren driver Lando Norris and Stroll’s teammate Fernando Alonso. Hamilton and teammate George Russell completed the top-8.
The Red Bull team has won all nine races this season in addition to two sprint races. Verstappen won Saturday’s and Perez had the same success in Azerbaijan.
Classification of the Austrian Grand Prix :
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
the 306.452 km in 1 h 25:33.607
2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) at 5.155
3. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) at 17.188
4. Carlos Sainz Jr. (ESP/Ferrari) at 21.377
5. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) à 26,327
6. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) at 30,317
7. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) at 39.196
8. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) at 48.403
9. Pierre Gasly (FRA / Alpine-Renault) at 57.667
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) at 59.043
11. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) at 1:09.767
12. Esteban Ocon (FRA / Alpine-Renault) 1 lap away
13. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1 lap
14. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) in 1 lap
15. Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) at 1 tour
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari ) at 1 lap
17. Oscar Piastri (AUS / McLaren-Mercedes) 1 lap
18. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN / AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1 lap
19. Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap
Best lap in race : Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:07.012 au 70e tour (moyenne : 251,149 km/h)
Abandon :
Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari): mechanical problem 13th lap
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