Sport, as with life itself, has an array of positives and negatives. Sometimes the latter may painstakingly outweigh the greater and more celebrated moments experienced, though it is those moments of pleasure that ultimately make sport a passion.
The recently concluded Austrian and Dutch Grands Prix – on both four wheels and two – demonstrated each class’ absolute best – reminding all the thrill of viewing motorsport.
Formula One perennially endures criticism over its on-track product, whether it’s directed towards the dominance of a single team, the influence of Pirelli’s tyres over the outcome of a race, or even a lack of overtaking created by the aerodynamic regulations.
Though while it may not have echoed the bizarre nature of the race in Baku earlier in the season, the Red Bull Ring was stage to close competition from the race leader to the tail-end of the points-paying positions.
The bulletproof Mercedes AMGs succumbed to reliability failures, as well as human error compromising Lewis Hamilton’s pit-stop strategy, which the four-time world champion bemoaned in wake of the public apology from the chief strategist on the team radio.
Lewis Hamilton (Photo: GEPA pictures/Daniel Goetzhaber)
In the dominion of Red Bull, it was their own Max Verstappen who took command of the lead, despite the rampant stallion in red of Kimi Räikkönen in pursuit until the fall of the chequered flag. Sebastian Vettel, in wake of Hamilton’s retirement, recovered from his grid penalty to capitalise with a podium and reassume the lead of the championship too.
Elsewhere, the misfortunate Haas team at last avenged their woes from Australia, which saw a potential squad-best result fall off like the wheels during those ill pit-stops. Kevin Magnussen equalled his season-best result of fifth, while a relieved Romain Grosjean at last put points next to his name with an emphatic fourth.
A demon drive from the eternally pained Fernando Alonso from the pit-lane to eighth in the end added to the delight for a team and a driver long in the doldrums, while the formidable rise of Charles Leclerc continued with more points in the Sauber.
The only detractor from Spielberg was, of course, the ill fortunes of Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, whose slim title aspirations have almost faded into non-existence with their respective non-finishes – underlining the sport’s cruel and unforgiving dark side.
As did the utterly amazing Dutch Motorcycle Grand Prix in Assen, providing over 100 overtaking manoeuvres, chiefly among the top six riders – where only three could ultimately claim the silverware.
How the extra-terrestrial Marc Márquez continues to defy physics with his bike control and how old foes in Jorge Lorenzo and the wily Valentino Rossi didn’t eliminate each other either is completely beyond belief.
A combination of agony and ecstasy encapsulated the events that transpired across the two races over the weekend. However, glowing positivity overruled the unfavourable narrative and, as rare as it can be at times, it must be celebrated.
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