22/06/2014
NEWS STORY
It's probably fair to say that had you walked into a betting shop yesterday morning and asked for odds on Williams locking out the front row of today's the Austrian Grand Prix you would, after a few odd looks, finally have been given some odds. After all, based on the recent race in Montreal the Grove outfit is enjoying a resurgence.
However, had you asked for odds on some of the other grid positions - Vettel thirteenth, and not due to a penalty or Lewis Hamilton ninth - there is a chance they would either have called for the police, doubting your sanity, or come to the conclusion that you were part of a particularly brazen scam betting syndicate.
Honestly, look at that grid, it's like the positions were arrive at by picking the names out of a hat.
All of which means we could be in for an afternoon of rollercoaster entertainment, assuming Charlie Whiting and his pals don't get too overenthusiastic in terms of track limits.
A couple of hours before the race, Charlie Whiting issued the following:
"During the race, any driver leaving the track on the exit of Turn 8 who appears to have gained a clear and lasting advantage by doing so, will be reported to the stewards. We would not, for example, expect a driver who left the track on the exit of Turn 8 to attempt to pass a driver in front of him into Turn 1.
"Furthermore, any drivers who repeatedly leave the track on the exit of Turn 8 will also be reported to the stewards. Drivers are reminded that if they leave the track they may re-join but only if they do so safely and without gaining any lasting advantage."
Whilst we do agree that there need to be limits and that these must be imposed, we cannot help but feel that here - as opposed to somewhere like Spa Francorchamps - some drivers have little choice.
The disallowing of 11 drivers' times during yesterday's qualifying session - and yes the drivers had been warned - made it difficult to keep track, a similar situation today could further alienate fans, not just in terms of the penalties handed out during the race but the possibility of the final result not being known until hours afterwards.
Then again, in light of the titanium skid plates idea on Friday, standing starts following red flags and some of the other proposals for "improving the show" the sillier it gets the less surprised we should be.
Speaking on Friday, Hamilton said that pole isn't that important here, mainly due to the long straight leading to T2. However, there can be no doubt that when he said that he imagined a worst case scenario of starting from second, maybe even third, not from the fifth row.
The weather gods are highly unlikely to have a say in today's race, instead it all looks likely to come down to tyre strategy and management and self-control on the part of the drivers.
From the opening moments of FP1 on Friday we've seen drivers paying the price for their over enthusiasm, for their failure to treat this track with the respect it deserves. Today, in the heat of battle, the odds will be raised so much higher.
That said, a number of drivers will have to throw a certain amount of caution to the wind, none more so than Hamilton who is already trailing his teammate by 22 points. Heading towards his home Grand Prix, the Briton really doesn't want to see that gap expand.
Then there's Sebastian Vettel, already losing further ground to his teammate and in serious danger of dropping further down the standings.
Still smarting from his Montreal penalty, which means he starts from 16th today, watch out for Sergio Perez, who will be even more fired up by the sight of (Canada nemesis) Felipe Massa starting from pole.
A two-stop strategy is the most likely course today, but a one-stop theoretically the quickest: start on supersofts, then change to softs on lap 18. However, with overtaking difficult, a two-stop strategy could provide opportunities to gain track position.
A two-stop strategy is: start on supersofts, change to softs on lap 13 and softs again on lap 42. A soft-soft-supersoft strategy, with the changes on laps 29 and 58, could also work, for those starting further down the grid.
It's believed that Williams is going to suffer with its tyres today, while it is strong on shorter runs on the longer runs the FW36 encounters unusually high wear at the rear. It remains to be seen how the Grove outfit deal with this, though we wouldn't be surprised to see one driver ride shotgun for the other.
This was meant to be Mercedes circuit and for most of the practice sessions the Silver Arrows had the edge however, it all appeared to fall apart in qualifying. With Hamilton bogged down in ninth, Rosberg must be the main threat to the Williams duo, while a good result would further open the gap to his teammate.
Alonso will give 100 percent, as ever, but watch out for Ricciardo, while Magnussen and Kvyat, who have both raced here as recently as recently as last year, are sure to put that experience to good use.
We believe this is going to be a race of attrition, not only in terms of technical problems but also drivers getting just a little too over enthusiastic. All of which could mean that, not for the first time, the Safety Car could make an appearance, and thereby impact events.
Indeed, as we've said so many times before, and we hate repeating ourselves, while the race cannot be won at the first corner today, it can be lost. This race is about more than just the first couple of corners.
We do not expect to see Williams winning, but how good was it to see the multi-time champions celebrating yesterday, especially Sir Frank. After all, it wasn't that long ago that some thought they heard the death knell sounding for the Grove outfit.
Around an hour before the start of the race, Lotus reveals that having changed the gearbox on Grosjean's car he has incurred a five place grid penalty. Furthermore, as other changes were made which are not allowed under parc fermé conditions, the Frenchman, who qualified sixteenth, will start from the pitlane.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 23 degrees C, while the track temperature is 45 degrees. That's warmer than at any previous point over the course of the weekend.
All are starting on the option rubber bar Button, Maldonado, Perez, Bianchi, Ericsson and Chilton who are on the prime.
All get away cleanly for the warm-up lap. Rosberg complains of too much oversteer whilst Hamilton is unhappy with his brake bias.
The grid forms. Cut to anxious faces in the Williams garage.
They're away. Rosberg passes Bottas into T1 but Massa holds the lead. Further back a couple of cars run wide but no incidents. Bottas repasses Rosberg into T2. Hamilton is up to fifth by T2.
At the end of lap 1, it's: Massa, Bottas, Rosberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Magnussen, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo and Kvyat. Hamilton having passed Alonso at the end of the first lap.
Vettel slows and pulls to the side of the track. "I lost drive, I lost drive, tell me what to do please."
A lap later and somehow Vettel gets going again, just as he's being lapped by the main field. A number of drivers have to take avoiding action including teammate Ricciardo. Grosjean pits.
Sutil passes Vergne to take 103th, Sauber really needing a good result today.
Replay shows Hamilton's blistering start, the Briton passing two cars before T1 and then another couple coming out of the corner. Great stuff. Also shows Bottas leaving Rosberg for dead having lost position on the run to the first corner.
Hamilton is all over Rosberg as Vettel is told to "go racing". Elsewhere, Ricciardo is told "do not press overtake" for the rest of the race.
After 6 laps, Alonso is 4.1s behind the leading group which is covered by just 2.6s. Magnussen is a further 3.6s behind with Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Kvyat, Ricciardo, Perez and Button in hot pursuit.
"We need to look after the rear-left," Masa is told, then given a list of the offending corners... and there's only eight on the entire track.
Vergne pits at the end of lap 8, as Perez is told that the option runners are suffering with graining to their rears. The Mexican is now up to 11th.
Hulkenberg pits at the end of lap 9, his team wanting him out of the train that is running behind Magnussen.
Magnussen pits at the end of lap 10, as do Kvyat and Ricciardo.
At the end of lap 11 it is Rosberg who pits, thereby promoting his teammate to third. The German rejoins in eighth behind Button.
Looks like an unsafe release for Kvyat as he gets in the way of Ricciardo.
Rosberg passes Button as Gutierrez is recued in the pitlane after grinding to a halt following his pit stop his right-rear not fitted correctly.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 13, he rejoins in seventh behind his Mercedes teammate.
Race leader Massa pits at the end of lap 14 as does Alonso. They rejoin in sixth and ninth. However, Hamilton edges ahead of Massa into T1, the Brazilian seemingly caught off guard.
Next time around Bottas pits, the Finn rejoining behind Rosberg but ahead of Hamilton following a brilliant stop. He runs deep into T1 but Hamilton is not close enough to challenge.
As the Stewards announce they are investigating the Gutierrez incident, Perez lead but has yet to stop. Rosberg is second, 0.230s behind, ahead of Bottas, Hamilton, Massa, Button, Maldonado, Alonso, Magnussen and Hulkenberg. Button and Maldonado, like Perez, have yet to stop.
Perez is told not to compromise his race by battling Rosberg. Hamilton and Williams might feel differently.
Alonso passes Maldonado to take seventh as Hamilton is told that his brakes are over the limit, a situation that he must pay attention to.
Gutierrez gets a stop and go for that unsafe release.
Button posts a PB (14.833), Hamilton is all over Bottas. "You can have a few stabs at overtake," the Briton is told, "but use it wisely".
Vettel, still running last, pits at the end of lap 21. Rejoining still in 22nd there having been no retirements thus far.
The (local) TV director cuts to the paddock where Dietrich Mateschitz is signing autographs... or swapping phone numbers.
Hamilton is told to "lift and coast" if he is able, suggesting that fuel use could be an issue today. Certainly the pace is frantic.
Hulkenberg nails Maldonado into T2 to take 10th.
As Vettel goes off at T5, Vettel is lapping at the same pace as the leader. "I had no brakes," Kvyat complains, "I had no brakes".
Rosberg nails Perez going into T1 at the start of lap 27, Bottas also closing in on the Mexican. The Finn passes the Force India as Hamilton and Massa smell blood.
In clear air, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (13.706), as Button and Maldonado pit.
When Hamilton finally nails Perez it means the Mexican now has Massa on his tail... as in Canada.
Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (13.558) as he sets about closing the 0.69s gap to Bottas.
Perez finally pits at the end of lap 29, the Mexican sticking with the primes.
Bottas is all over Rosberg with Hamilton also closing in. Elsewhere, another stop for Vettel.
The leading three covered by 0.976s, Bottas continues to attack Rosberg whilst defending against Hamilton. One of the fastest men on track at present is fifth placed Alonso.
On lap 31, Perez posts a new fastest lap (13.169), the Mexican currently running eighth.
Replay shows Vettel losing a piece of front wing as he battles with Gutierrez.
After 32 laps, Bianchi and Chilton, running 13th and 18th, have yet to stop.
The Stewards announce that they are investigating the Vettel/Gutierrez incident.
After a couple of scrappy laps, including running wide in T1, Rosberg is now back in the groove, leading Bottas by 1.3s. Hamilton is third, ahead of Massa, Alonso, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Ricciardo and Raikkonen.
"Sebastian, box this lap," Vettel is told, "we're going to retire the car." He duly obeys.
Perez passes Hulkenberg, the team having told the German not to offer any resistance as they are on totally different strategies.
"HPP 11 to 1," Rosberg is told, "push hard now".
Moments later, teammate Hamilton is told: "OK Lewis, it's hammer time!"
In other words, 'cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war'.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 39. It's a slowish stop (4s) which sees him rejoin in fifth. Hulkenberg also pits.
"Box, box, box," Rosberg is told. He obliges. As does Vergne.
Rosberg rejoins in fourth, ahead of his teammate who is stuck behind a Caterham. Magnussen also pits.
At the end of lap 41, Bottas and Bianchi pit. As Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (12.217), the Finn rejoins in fifth behind the Briton.
Massa leads Alonso by 2.7s but both have to stop again. Rosberg is third, ahead of Hamilton, Bottas, Perez, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Button and Magnussen.
"Who am I racing, what do I have to do?" asks Rosberg. "You are racing Lewis until the end," comes the reply. No mention of the Williams duo.
Massa and Ricciardo both pit at the end of lap 43, the Brazilian rejoining in sixth.
Raikkonen, Sutil and Ericsson all pits at the end of lap 44. Another long, lonely afternoon for the Ferrari driver.
Massa, 17.5s down on the race leader, posts a new PB (12.695).
Bottas is told that his reality is P3 and "it's looking good!"
Race leader Alonso pits at the end of lap 47, rejoining in sixth, 4.8s down on Massa.
"Come on Checo, come on mate, now is the time," Perez is told as Massa is advised that the Mexican might need to stop again. It's a fact, he does.
Hamilton asks if Rosberg has a brake issue, he is advised that he and his teammate have the same problem and they must both manage it. There is currently a 1.8s gap between the two Mercedes which are running first and second and looking good.
Perez is the meat in the sandwich, stuck between Bottas and Massa, however, his upcoming pit stop will see him battling his force India teammate.
Hamilton is told that his rear tyres are looking better than Rosberg's so he may have an "opportunity" at the end of the race.
"We are racing Button, we are racing more Button, we need two-tenths a lap," Raikkonen is told. "Well give me more power," is the laconic response. The Finn is currently 11th.
Perez pits at the end of lap 55, thereby releasing Massa. The Mexican rejoins in eighth, 5.8s down on Magnussen.
After 56 laps, it's: Rosberg, Hamilton, Bottas, Massa, Alonso, Button, Magnussen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Maldonado, Vergne, Sutil, Grosjean, Kobayashi, Bianchi, Chilton, Ericsson and Gutierrez.
A second stop for Button, who rejoins in 11th behind Raikkonen. Bottas posts a PB (12.808).
On lap 59, Perez, now 2.5s down on Magnussen, posts a new fastest lap (12.142).
Vergne heads into the pits and retirement, like his teammate he says he has no brakes. With Ricciardo currently running ninth, it is a miserable race for circuit owner Red Bull.
Alonso is told that he is within DRS range of Massa, the Brazilian currently fourth.
Out front, Rosberg leads his Mercedes teammate by 1.922s with Bottas a further 5.888s down the road.
"Guys give me some updates on where I can be quicker," asks Hamilton.
Perez is now right on the tail of Magnussen. The Mexican is told that when he is close enough he will have two laps in "mode 2" but he is to use it wisely. As you would.
Elsewhere, Ricciardo is all over Hulkenberg for eighth.
A mistake from Magnussen in T1 sees Perez nail the Dane. The McLaren driver attempts to fight back but it is too little, too late.
The gap between the two Mercedes fluctuates between 0.9s and 1.4, should it remain as is Rosberg will take a 29 point lead to Silverstone.
A mistake in T1 sees Hamilton lose ground as Rosberg asks if he can use overtake in his efforts to pass a back-marker. Hamilton is also told he can use the boost.
On the last lap Rosberg makes a mistake in T3 but Hamilton also has a wobble.
The German takes the flag, teammate Hamilton crossing the line 1.932s later. "Great job, great job," the German is told.
Bottas takes a fine third, his first F1 podium, whilst teammate Massa finishes a distant fourth, the Brazilian seemingly losing out due his team's failure to respond to Mercedes earlier pit stop.
Alonso finishes fifth ahead of Perez, a great performance from the Mexican especially in light of that grid penalty.
Magnussen takes seventh whilst, for the second successive race weekend, Hulkenberg loses out on the final lap, the German having been passed by Ricciardo in a late, bold move.
Raikkonen takes the final point, ahead of Button, Maldonado, Sutil, Grosjean, Bianchi, Kobayashi, Chilton, Ericsson and Gutierrez.
The history books will show this as another 1-2 for Mercedes in a season of many such results however, there was much, much more to this race, which proved to be a real roller coaster.
Red Bull might not have anything to celebrate tonight but for the rest of us, the Red Bull Ring has made a worthy addition to the calendar. And that's no bull.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.
Chris Balfe