The Austrian Grand Prix is often one of the more exciting races of the season and so it proved to be today, although the final result was mixed for Scuderia Ferrari HP. On the one hand, one can celebrate a return to the podium, thanks to a third place for Carlos Sainz, who drove a very solid race, while on the other, there’s great disappointment for Charles Leclerc who tried to stage an almost impossible recovery following a collision at the start.
At the start, Carlos was passed by Lewis Hamilton for fourth place, but the Englishman soon had to give back the position because he had made the passing move off the track in the run-off area. Charles’ race was immediately compromised when, at turn 1, he was squeezed between Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez and he came off worst, having to pit to replace a damaged front wing. From then on, Charles pinned his hopes on a Safety Car that never came to let him close up on the field. His pace was the same as Carlos’ and he only just missed out on picking up a point as he finished eleventh. Carlos fought from start to finish in a really close battle with George Russell, most of the time scrapping for third place. At the most, the Mercedes driver had a five second advantage and after the last pit stop, when he rejoined on Hard tyres, while Carlos was on Mediums, the gap grew gradually smaller, getting down to under 2 seconds on lap 66, just as out in front, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided, with both their cars sustaining damage. That provoked a Virtual Safety Car while debris was cleared off the track and at the restart, the duel resumed, with Piastri now joining Sainz and Russell, the Australian on much fresher tyres. It meant he was able to pass the Ferrari for second place, behind Russell. It was Carlos’ fifth podium finish of the season, the Scuderia’s tenth, which confirms Carlos’ fourth place in the Drivers’ championship, closing in on Norris and Charles, who came away from this event with just the two points from yesterday’s Sprint race. The team is still second in the Constructors’ standings.
The World Championship barely stops for breath as the final race of this summer triple-header, the British Grand Prix, takes place at the historic Silverstone circuit next week.
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