It’s going to be a scorcher in Styria as record temperatures are set to play their hand during this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. Join The Roar for live updates and coverage from 11pm (AEST).
A popular fixture since its return to the Formula One calendar in 2014, the Red Bull Ring has seen its fair share of action and drama, with its short and fast layout.
Only 4.3km comprises a lap of the Red Bull Ring, with plenty of straights to lay down the power and sharp braking zones to promote overtaking – which during the 71-lap grand prix should be aplenty.
Tyres have been a talking point since the French round of the championship only seven days ago and the high track temperatures will mean once again the drivers may favour the medium and hard compounds.
Despite the desire for a multi-stop race, the likely strategy options for the leading drivers will see a one-stopper with a change from medium to hard.
Until last year, the Red Bull Ring was dominated by Mercedes AMG who had claimed the past four consecutive victories. Despite their immaculate record in recent history, the Silver Arrows endured one of their worst races in 2018 here – where it was the namesake Red Bull team who won.
Though with their perfect record so far this season, it is difficult to go past Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton to execute another perfect weekend. Even Valtteri Bottas, who now faces a daunting 36-point deficit to his teammate in the standings – is a previous winner in Austria and has form at this circuit.
It was the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc though who’s been the quickest so far this weekend, sticking his car on pole position ahead of Hamilton and 2018 Austria winner in Max Verstappen.
Bottas qualified fourth fastest, while a disappointed Sebastian Vettel who suffered from mechanical issues in Q3 was only ninth in the end. Both Alfa Romeos and the McLaren of Lando Norris starred to qualify ahead of the four-time world champion.
A trio of drivers will have been hit by grid penalties too for change of power-unit componentry and they are Carlos Sainz, Alexander Albon and Nico Hulkenberg who will drop 5-places on the grid.
With Ferrari taking only its third pole of the year, can it be the chance at last for Leclerc to convert the top spot on the grid to his first Formula One win?
Who can survive the heat in the hills and come out on top at the Red Bull Ring? Tune in on The Roar from 11pm AEST for live blog coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
UPDATE No further action deemed by the stewards, Max Verstappen is still the winner of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
To me, the precedent was set in 2016, when Rosberg got penalised. I’d like to see the result stand, but in first glance watching live, it looked like Verstappen turned out
anon
Roar Pro
Incidental contact, Leclerc had lost the corner but didn't want to give it up.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
That's exactly what I'm worried about - following the precident set in Canada despite the two incidents being completely different. Sky Sports have just shown that Verstappen was on full opposite lock when going through the corner and we all know that Leclerc left the door open for a move to take place. We can only hope... A good grand prix either way.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
That then wraps up this live blog. Whatever the decision made by the stewards I'm sure will be widely discussed here in the days to come. But until the British Grand Prix in a fortnight's time, thanks for tuning in here on The Roar for the Austrian GP and it's good night from me!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Right Roarers. Feel free to weigh in on whether the incident involving Verstappen and Leclerc warrants a penalty. Feel free to weigh in on the race itself also!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
-------- DRIVER'S -------- 197 - Lewis Hamilton 166 - Valtteri Bottas 126 - Max Verstappen 123 - Sebastian Vettel 105 - Charles Leclerc 43 -- Pierre Gasly 30 -- Carlos Sainz 22 -- Lando Norris 21 -- Kimi Räikkönen 16 -- Daniel Ricciardo 16 -- Nico Hulkenberg 14 -- Kevin Magnussen 13 -- Sergio Perez 10 -- Daniil Kvyat 7 --- Alexander Albon 6 --- Lance Stroll 2 --- Romain Grosjean 1 --- Antonio Giovinazzi 0 --- George Russell 0 --- Robert Kubica
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
----- CONSTRUCTOR'S ----- 363 - Mercedes AMG 228 - Scuderia Ferrari 169 - Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 52 -- McLaren Renault 32 -- Renault 22 -- Alfa Romeo Racing 19 -- Racing Point Mercedes 17 -- Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda 16 -- Haas Ferrari 0 --- Williams Mercedes
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Most are going to say that should be labelled a racing incident, but then with the precedent set in Canada and following the black and white regulations - it wouldn't be surprising to see the win stripped from Max. Not what is needed though after the best race of the season so far.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
I'm worried. Very worried. I can see both sides of the coin but would really like Verstappen's win to stay. There was contact though and that could be grounds for a penalty. However, if the penalty is given, it will be extremely detrimental for F1. Currently, F1 is on a recruitment drive but it may become a case of 'come and watch F1 but don't forget that in two of the past three races the driver who's crossed the line first hasn't actually won' (if Verstappen gets the penalty, which I hope doesn't happen at all costs). Please, please, don't give him a penalty!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
RACE REPORT After the negative reception to a processional French Grand Prix seven days ago, Formula One delivered an absolute thriller of a race in Austria, which saw Max Verstappen take the win from Charles Leclerc in the dying stages. Verstappen, who claims back-to-back win at Red Bull’s home circuit and indeed Honda’s first win in Formula One win since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, made a poor start and dropped down to as low as eighth. The Ferrari of Leclerc got away into the lead from pole and led the race until Lap-69, when the Dutchman on his younger set of hard tyres caught and eventually passed him. Not without controversy either, with the stewards having to investigate the contact made between the pair on the exit of Turn 3. Having made a second pit-stop for another set of soft tyres towards the end of the race, Sebastian Vettel who started from ninth was able to strip Lewis Hamilton for fourth, after a difficult race for the Briton – which involved a change of front-wing. Another brilliant drive from Lando Norris, who crossed the line in sixth to match his career best result. On the first lap, the teenager was as high as third, before battling away with Kimi Räikkönen and Pierre Gasly throughout the grand prix. McLaren once again showed the superior race pace, as Carlos Sainz from the rear of the field, was able to run long on the medium tyres in the first stint, before fighting his way up the order again to finish ahead of both Alfa Romeos in eighth. Räikkönen and teammate Antonio Giovinazzi both pitted earlier than Norris, having started on the soft tyre and as a result were sitting ducks for the faster Sainz at the end of the race – whilst Gasly managed to hold onto seventh. Tenth for Giovinazzi was also his first points scoring result in Formula One. No points for Renault, as Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg made no impression on the race. Neither did the Racing Point duo, whilst Haas again struggled massively on the Pirelli tyres, with Kevin Magnussen also being slapped with a drive-through penalty for starting out of his grid slot. Championship wise, Hamilton’s lead has been reduced slightly to 31-points over teammate Bottas. Whilst Verstappen, who won his sixth career race moves into third in the standings ahead of Vettel.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
POST-RACE INTERVIEWS – Hosted by Martin Brundle VERSTAPPEN – “After that start I thought the race was over.” “After the pit-stop we were flying.” “Extremely happy for the whole team and Honda.” “It’s hard racing, otherwise just stay home.” LECLERC – “Overall the race was good.” “I will let the stewards decide on the incident.” BOTTAS – “Got some good points.”
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
PROVISIONAL RESULTS FROM THE 71-LAP AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 1 M. Verstappen 2 C. Leclerc 3 V. Bottas 4 S. Vettel 5 L. Hamilton 6 L. Norris 7 P. Gasly 8 C. Sainz 9 K. Räikkönen 10 A. Giovinazzi 11 S. Perez 12 D. Ricciardo 13 N. Hulkenberg 14 L. Stroll 15 A. Albon 16 R. Grosjean 17 D. Kvyat 18 G. Russell 19 K. Magnussen 20 R. Kubica
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
And that's not all folks! The stewards are investigating that contact between Verstappen and Leclerc...
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
MAX VERSTAPPEN GOES BACK-TO-BACK AND WINS THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX! Charles Leclerc, who had to concede the win will come home for a solid second in the Ferrari. And Valtteri Bottas will the be sole Mercedes on the podium, bringing his Silver Arrow home in third.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 71/71: FINAL LAP
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 70/71: All the Dutch supporters in the grandstands will be cheering as Max gap a decent margin over the Ferrari now. Meanwhile the other Ferrari of Vettel passes Hamilton for fourth.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 69/71: 3 LAPS TO GO There's contact on the exit of Turn 3 which sends Leclerc wide, but it is Verstappen who takes the lead of the race!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 68/71: Verstappen makes the dive down the inside at Turn 3 and they both come down the straight wheel to wheel, but Leclerc defends hard to keep the lead!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 67/71: 5 LAPS TO GO Max is in DRS range and all over the rear of Leclerc now! This is going to be intense...