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Spielberg – Human and technical mistakes made for an exciting Grand Prix of Austria Formula 1 Sunday. The big winner was Max Verstappen, who gave Red Bull the first home win at Spielberg and thus ended the four-year Mercedes dominance in Styria. While the Dutchman applauded, Hamilton was annoyed. "We lost the victory," said the Briton
. The world champion had to put his "Silver Arrow" in fourth place after 63 laps due to the lack of fuel pressure. But the 33-year-old Briton was not so angry about it, but because of Mercedes' strategy, which had cost him his leadership. After a hydraulic leak, his Finnish team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who had been in second place until the breakdown, and the rescue of the vehicle had initiated a virtual security phase, all went wrong with the "Starfleet" ".
Wolff: "Considered for Too Long"
Unlike the main rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, who brought their drivers as early as possible to tire changing, Mercedes responded to a snail's pace and ordered the leader ten laps too late to the pits. Place fell back. "We thought too much and made the wrong decision," admits Toto Wolff, the boss of the team after the race
"We can not afford to throw the points like that," hisses Hamilton, who is Sunday The Silverstone home race wants to fight. That's why his team, which had already won relatively secure victories in strategy mistakes in Australia and China, is under particular pressure. "We have to find a surefire way to be careful with the strategy," Hamilton demanded.
Wolff has perfectly understood the bad mood of his best driver and knows very well that it is next to a competitive and sustainable car. in the fight for the title still on a third important factor happens. "You have to minimize the rate of error," said the Viennese 46-year-old. "And that's exactly what we need to do at full speed.More importantly, we draw the right conclusions and do not make the same mistake twice."
Vettel still a point ahead [19659002] Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel, who is now third in Spielberg behind teammate Kimi Raikkonen now The World Cup is still a point ahead of Hamilton at the top, is aware of this. "I'm happy with the points and the podium, but I'm still not 100% satisfied, because we could have done better today, if I had not been punished," notes L & # 39; 39; German.
After Vettel had just finished fifth at Le Castellet following a collision with Bottas, that he had, this time it cost him … finally without consequences – "neglected" the Spanish driver Carlos Sainz in qualifying three places on the grid. "You would not have to open a barrel, but it was unfortunately opened," lamented Vettel, who is celebrating his 31st birthday on Tuesday.
Räikkönen committed several driving errors at the GP of Austria, the most crucial after his lightning start. Because the 38-year-old Finn had the chance to overtake both Mercedes. "I did a good job initially, but I was afraid of being crushed by both cars," said the "Iceman," why he had just put it back. "Too bad," Raikkonen knew that he could have won the race altogether. With 1: 06.957 minutes, he now holds the official tour record on the Red Bull Ring of 4.318 km.
Verstappen achieved a perfect performance at Spielberg, setting the fourth podium of the last five races. In the World Cup, the 20 year old athlete has climbed to fifth place. On Vettel, he misses after the ninth of 21 races of the season, but still a whopping 53 points. Verstappen knows too well that he could look a lot better with a flawless start to the season. Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko sees his young star on the right path. "Max has given the right answer to all the criticisms of the past few weeks," said 75-year-old Styrian. (APA)
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