30/06/2024
NEWS STORY
For the third successive race, we have a front row occupied by Max Verstappen and Lando Norris - four if you count yesterday's Sprint - and it will be interesting to see if either has learned from past experience.
Breathing down their hot little necks on the short, uphill climb to Turn 1 will be Russell, Sainz, Hamilton and Leclerc, not to mention Piastri and Perez.
While McLaren's protest of the Australian's lap time being deleted was rejected - for reasons that nobody can really understand - his pace this weekend suggests that he will soon be up there in the mix.
Other than who leads out of Turn 1, then Turns 3 and 4, the big question is who will take the fight to Red Bull today other than McLaren. Mercedes looks strong while Ferrari has looked off the boil ever since Monaco.
Though no fans of the Sprint, yesterday's mini-me race gave us good insight as to what to expect, and it is likely that a number of drivers have been watching reruns overnight.
Referring to the mysterious email sent to Mercedes about Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff referred to "conspiracy theorists and lunatics". Well, though we're not sure about the lunacy angle, we must admit to enjoying the odd conspiracy theory, and therefore have to confess to have found Red Bull's recent performances a bit of a surprise in terms of how suddenly they appear to have been reeled in. Of course, other than the Austrian team and its star driver, nobody benefits from the sort of domination witnessed throughout 2023 or the opening races of this season, and with so much at stake, would it be beyond the likes of, say, Turk Thrust's infamous Formula One Script Unit, to come up with a story whereby the favourites temporarily falter in a bad to bring the title fights alive?
Anyway, we digress.
Other than the battle up front, today represents an opportunity for Ricciardo to save his seat at RB, while a number of other drivers really need to step up a gear if they are to find themselves on the grid again next year.
While Perez has a contract, Christian Horner has made clear that more is expected of him, and starting from eighth today surely isn't what the Red Bull boss had in mind.
Last year's race was marred - and then some - by the track limits issue, and despite the FIA's efforts this continues to be a problem... just ask Oscar. Hopefully today's race will not suffer a similar fate and we will not see any post-race penalties.
Yesterday's high temperatures gave the teams the opportunity to try the mediums, thereby providing vital information regarding strategy. According to Pirelli's calculations, two pit stops will be required, with a mix of mediums and hards.
A one-stop is not a realistic choice, not because of tyre wear, but in terms of degradation and pace, although a three-stop could work if there is a Safety Car in the latter stages of the race, or if degradation is higher than expected. In this case, even the softs could come into play, albeit not in a major way."
The pitlane opens and Hulkenberg leads the way, followed by Perez, Hamilton, Bottas and Zhou. Behind the Chinese driver, who will start from the pitlane after changes were made to his car overnight, is Verstappen, who gets a huge roar from the crowd.
"Can you check the steering rack, it doesn't feel right," reports Russell after running wide in Turn 3.
Air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 47 degrees, similar to yesterday.
The anticipated thunderstorm will be arriving... but not until 20:00, so unless we have some serious stoppages... That said, Race Control claims a 10% chance of rain.
Russell is told of a 40 km/h gust into Turn 3, which might explain his off.
All are starting on mediums, bar Zhou, who is on hards, while only Alonso and Stroll are on used rubber.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
As he leads the field around the track, Verstappen is roared on by the crowd.
As they arrive on the grid, Norris is right up Verstappen's exhaust.
The grid forms.
They're away! Max leads as they head up the hill towards Turn 1. Norris has the inside line as Russell attempts to go around the outside, and while Sainz is inside Hamilton, Leclerc is the meat in a sandwich comprising Perez (on the inside) and Piastri (on the outside).
As we know from experience, three into one won't go, and the nose of the Ferrari hits the rear of the McLaren
Hamilton, Piastri and one of the RBs all run a little wides as the begin the long run to Turn 3.
With Verstappen clear, Norris is under attack from Russell, while, heading into Turn 3, Sainz is on the inside of Hamilton and behind Perez is on the inside of Piastri.
Heading towards Turn 4, Perez and Piastri are side-by-side, the Australian running wide as they round the corner.
The opening few corners are as feisty as we expected.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Ocon, Hulkenberg and Magnussen. Leclerc pits for a new front wing as Sargeant also pits. The Monegasque rejoins in 19th.
Hamilton dives down the inside of Russell at Turn 3 to claim third but with the benefit of DRS the youngster immediately retakes the position.
Hamilton and Sainz have both been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
In eighth, Hulkenberg has dropped 1.5s behind Piastri as a DRS train begins to form behind the Haas driver.
On Lap 6, Sainz passes Hamilton in Turn 1 for fourth. The Briton hangs on to the rear of the Ferrari, while Piastri goes around the outside of Perez to take 6th.
A number of drivers, including Norris and Perez, are complaining of understeer.
After 8 laps, Verstappen leads Norris by 3.2s with Russell a further 2.6s behind.
It is revealed that Hamilton allowed Sainz to pass having gained the position by leaving the track.
Magnussen and Ricciardo both pit at the end of Lap 10, rejoining in 17th (Magnussen) and 18th, 4.4s ahead of Leclerc.
"Rears are graining a bit," reports Hamilton as Hulkenberg and Alonso pit.
Hulkenberg rejoins in 15th and immediately embroiled in a battle with his feisty teammate.
Albon pits at the end of Lap 12, As Verstappen extends his lead to 5s.
Leclerc passes Albon for 18th.
Perez is told that sidepod damage has changed the aero balance.
Oh dear, Leclerc is passed by Albon as the Ferrari appears to have more damage than first thought.
Magnussen is told to manage his tyres in what is actually an attempt to calm him down. The Dane isn't happy.
Given a similar message, Hulkenberg replies: "We need to do it together then," referring to his teammate.
Out front, Verstappen and Norris are lapping around 0.5s a lap quicker than anyone else.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Red Bull Ring here.
On Lap 17, Leclerc makes his second stop, rejoining in last, just ahead of Verstappen, on fresh mediums.
Hulkenberg passes Zhou for 13th, with his teammate following through moments later.
Norris is told that he has two sets of mediums, and that Verstappen doesn't. Indeed, the Dutchman's arsenal consists of fresh hards. (Hate typing that word).
Ocon and Bottas both pit at the end of Lap 19, rejoining in 17th (Ocon) and 18th.
Zhou runs wide after being clouted by Alonso, as Ricciardo takes full advantage to claim 11th from the Chinese driver.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 21, the Briton rejoining in 6th on fresh hards as Perez and Tsunoda also stop.
"I think Hamilton crossed the white line on pit entry," reports Piastri.
Next time around Russell and Sainz stop, as the stewards confirm that they are investigating Hamilton.
Russell rejoins in fourth and Sainz 5th.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 23, rejoining in second as Norris also stops.
Piastri leads... on 24 laps old mediums.
Alonso is given a 10s time penalty for causing a collision, as Hamilton is given a 5s time penalty.
On his fresh mediums, Russell posts a new fastest lap (9.563).
Piastri pits at the end of Lap 25, the youngster rejoining in sixth on fresh hards.
So Verstappen leads Norris by 6.7s, both on hards, with medium-shod Russell a further 2.3s behind, 3.2s ahead of Sainz (hards).
Verstappen and Norris are both under investigation for unsafe release.
"Lewis, there is everything to play here, everything to play," urges Toto Wolff.
"Gear 7 still fine, gear 7 still fine," Verstappen is told, the Dutchman clearly fearing a gearbox issue.
"This is good Charles, we're projected to come to the points, even without the Safety Car," Leclerc is told. He is currently 18th.
Perez is under investigation for speeding in the pitlane.
In eleventh, Alonso is under pressure from the Alpines as he pursues Ricciardo.
Perez is given a 5s time penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
Behind Alonso, the Alpines almost touch as they battle for position.
Lap 33 sees a new fastest lap from Norris (9.400) as he seeks to close the 7.8s gap to Verstappen.
"He has to go faster," urges Gasly who wants to be allowed to pass and take on Alonso.
Leclerc makes his third stop of the day, the Ferrari driver rejoining in 18th on used mediums.
No further action over those unsafe releases for Verstappen and Norris.
The Alpine pair pass Alonso and almost touch as they continue to scrap.
Alonso pits at the end of Lap 35, the Aston Martin serving his 10s time penalty before rejoining in 18th, 0.7s down on Zhou.
"What the **** was that, did you see, he tried to run me off the track," says Gasly of his teammate.
Tsunoda locks-up as he makes a move on Albon for 13th.
Ricciardo pits at the end of Lap 38, rejoining in 16th, 9.5s down on Bottas.
Magnussen makes his second stop at the end of Lap 39, as Verstappen reports that he is struggling.
Next time around Hulkenberg pits, as does Albon, as Tsunoda passes Stroll for tenth.
As the Alpine pair continue to fight, Gasly finally appears to get the upper hand. Though Ocon doesn't look to have given up. These will be anxious moments in the Aline garage.
Norris reports his rears are beginning to overheat. However he is told that Verstappen has a similar issue.
Gasly and Bottas both pit at the end of Lap 43, rejoining in 15th (Gasly) and 18th.
Ocon and Stroll pit at the end of Lap 44, the Frenchman rejoining in 14th, 2.1s down on his teammate.
Tsunoda pits at the end of Lap 45, as Albon is given a 5s time penalty and Magnussen and Gasly trade fastest sectors.
"Box, box," Russell is told on Lap 47 as he drops 13s behind Norris and is caught up in the backmarkers battles.
He subsequently dives into the pitlane, rejoining in 6th on fresh hards.
Sainz pits at the end of Lap 47, as Verstappen warns: "I can't hold this much longer, mate. I can't keep these two behind me". He is referring to the Haas pair in eighth and ninth that he has lapped but who are pushing him on in a bid to pull away from Ricciardo.
Piastri passes Hamilton for third, as Russell posts a new fastest lap (9.164).
In eleventh, Leclerc is under pressure from Gasly.
Gasly passes Leclerc as the pair battle right behind Norris, the McLaren driver now clearly struggling.
At the end of Lap 51, Verstappen and Norris both pit, as does Piastri. Verstappen rejoins still leading, 2.2s ahead of Norris, while Piastri is sixth, ahead of Perez who also pitted.
"Oh my God," sighs Verstappen after a problem with his left-rear during his stop, which allowed Norris to close. Under pressure the world champion subsequently makes a minor mistake.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 53, as Norris closes to within 0.6s of the leader.
On Lap 55, Norris tries to do what he did yesterday at Turn 3, but Verstappen is ready for him.
"He reacted to my move, he's not allowed to do that," reports Norris. "He saw me move, and then he moved."
Stroll and Albon move aside for Verstappen and then Norris.
"There's something wrong with the car, man, no grip," reports Verstappen.
Norris is shown the black and white for track limits violations.
On Lap 59, Norris goes down the inside of Turn 3, but overdoes it, locks-up and runs wide.
Sure enough, Norris exceeded the track limits and is set to get a penalty, though he continues to complain about Verstappen claiming he was forced off.
As the pair continue to battle, Russell is 15s behind, 3.2s clear f Sainz who is under pressure from Piastri.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Red Bull Ring here.
Norris makes another move at Turn 3 on Lap 63, Verstappen runs wide but holds the position. "He forced me off," complains the world champion. "He has to give the position back," warns Norris.
Next time around there's another move and this time they touch... both cars appear to have damage. Indeed both have punctures, the right-rear for Norris and left-rear for Verstappen, while the McLaren driver also has a time penalty for track limits violations.
Replay shows that as they arrive at Turn 3, Norris goes to the outside, and as they round the corner they touch as Verstappen goes wide taking the McLaren with him. The clash sees the left-rear tyre on Verstappen's car shredded, and while Norris seeks to pass the Red Bull as they head towards Turn 4 his car clearly has damage... indeed, he slows.
As both pit, Russell leads, Sainz is second, ahead of Piastri, Hamilton and Verstappen.
Piastri passes Sainz and is now 2.7s down on Russell.
Back in the pits, Norris climbs from his car.
The VSC is deployed on Lap 66 as Russell is urged: "George, you can win this!"
Replay shows that Norris went for a gap, but Verstappen refused to yield. Another of those incidents that will be talked about for some time.
The VSC is withdrawn and as the race resumes Russell is 3s ahead of Piastri, with Sainz 1s behind.
Verstappen is given a 10s time penalty for causing a collision, though that will give Norris little comfort.
On fresh softs, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (7.719), 19s ahead of Hulkenberg the penalty will not affect him.
A late stop for Alonso, who rejoins in 18th.
Russell takes the flag, ahead of Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Magnussen, Ricciardo and Gasly.
Leclerc is eleventh, ahead of Ocon, Stroll, Tsunoda, Albon, Bottas, Zhou, Alonso and Sargeant.
"That's just ridiculous," says Verstappen of the penalty. "You can just send it left or right. What do you want me to do?" "We were desperately unlucky," replies Christian Horner.
While the debate kicks off, it's worth bearing in mind that the poor pit stop didn't help Verstappen's cause, cutting his lead from 6 to 2 seconds.
Adding to his pain, the Dutchman was pipped for fastest lap by Alonso.
"Quite an eventful race up front no?" says Sainz in a masterpiece of understatement. "For us it was all about trying to keep up with George.
"We knew the Mercedes today might have a bit of advantage on race pace," he admits. "We tried everything to keep up with him and Oscar at the end was coming really quick.
"In the end P3, which I think is a good result. We can be quite happy and quite proud of that."
"A lot of what ifs and maybes obviously starting from yesterday," says Piastri. "I know that's only my fourth podium in F1 but so close to a win, it hurts a little bit.
"Really good points obviously," he adds. "I think second half of the race we were coming on pretty strong and, yeah, happy with another podium. Just when it's that close you can't help but hurt a little bit."
"Incredible," grins Russell. "It was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race, just to hold onto that P3 and I saw on the TV that Max and Lando was going pretty hard.
"I knew Lando would want to try and get that race win but the team have done an amazing job to get us in this fight. You've got to be there at the end to pick up the pieces and that's where we were."
Let's face it we've been here before... and shall be here again, and Max certainly has history.
Of course, this sets us up nicely for Silverstone and shades of 2021 where the battle between the Dutchman and Hamilton finally began to turn sour.
Not the race we were expecting but certainly entertaining, and just the sort of thing that Greg Maffei, Stefano Domenicali and the Drive to Survive mob will relish.
Check out our Sunday gallery from the Red Bull Ring here.