Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had a tough fight – against each other.
– We thank and greet, says Red Bulls Helmut Marko after the race ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix in F1.
Max Verstappen made the start of the race ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. He was immediately able to get a big enough gap that the two Ferrari drivers were preoccupied with the internal struggle. Carlos Sainz, who stood from third, outperformed teammate Charles Leclerc on the first curve, but Leclerc reclaimed the lead in the third. The fight continued between the two, at the same time that Max Verstappen withdrew and disappeared except for the Ferrari drivers’ DRS chances and achieved victory.
It looks as if Ferrari definitely wants Red Bull to become world champion, says former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher who is now a Sky expert.
Supported by Red Bull Motorsports advisor Helmut Marko:
“I have to say Ferrari helped us by fighting their drivers against each other,” he told Sky.
– When they bump into each other, Max can easily take a two-second lead and can then manage it superbly.
Red Bull thanks Ferrari for their help
Red Bull has the advantage and the fact that Max Verstappen seems to be increasing his lead in the World Cup battle every week and now has teammate Sergio Perez in second place in the World Cup, while Ferrari is allowing its drivers to take on each other and thus also score points from each other.
On board with Sainz and Leclerc at the start ⚔️#AustrianGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/M2fU13PZPQ
– Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2022
After qualifying, the atmosphere between the Ferrari drivers was tense, third-placed Leclerc and Sainz, who won last time, barely exchanging a glance when he took matters into their own hands after a sprint ahead of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix.
Leclerc was clear about what was going on after the team duel during the start of the race.
– I was second and just tried to handle my tires until the race was over. He said in the post-race press conference that it was still not enough to run over Max.
– But the GP will be more important to handle the tires and what we were doing today we can’t afford tomorrow.
He was then asked if he and Sainz needed another order during a Grand Prix, compared to what was needed during a sprint race.
– I don’t know, it’s not us who decide. It’s Mattia.
It refers to the stable director Mattia Binotto.
– We just have to make sure we’re closer to Max at the beginning and end of the periods, says Sainz
We both have to try to make life as difficult as possible for Max and we have to give everything as Max leads the championship by far.
You can read more about this in yesterday’s blog.
Short F1 Austrian Grand Prix news
Sebastian Vettel left the driver’s meeting last Friday and, according to the FIA, was not a good enough model.
“Vettel left the driver’s meeting without permission,” the FIA explains.
Drivers are not allowed to leave the meeting whenever they want. It violates the rules that say drivers must be present during a driver meeting.
Therefore, he was warned and risks a fine of 250,000 SEK, if he does not break the rule again, he will not have to pay the fine.
I think the drivers were annoyed by the controversy. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says it has to do with where the warehouse entrance line is somewhere
They dealt with topics that were not even on the top 50 list.
According to tire supplier Pirelli, the best strategy for an afternoon race is to park in a warehouse, to go from medium to hard tires.
Time to recharge for racing? Listen to our podcast, Plattan i Mattan, where we talk to the UK GP, discuss Ferrari’s strategy and talk about the Austria GP. Well met!
If you want a guide and stats about the race, you can find them here. Also don’t miss our live report from the Austria GP in F1. You can find it here, on the Formula 1 finish line.