A perfect Max Verstappen on the Spielberg circuit who once again took home the victory. Behind the Dutchman, the two McLarens with Oscar Piastri ahead of Lando Norris. Here’s how the Sprint Race in Austria went!
One of more intense battles of the 2024 season in Formula 1 would seem to be that between Max Verstappen and Lando Norrisperhaps a slightly ambitious statement towards the McLaren driver who is currently second in the drivers’ standings, but the Englishman seems to be one of the current drivers on the grid who can give a slight discomfort of the Dutch three-time world champion.
At the start of Friday’s Sprint qualifying, the MCL38 looked quite on course for pole position in today’s Sprint and, if we were to look at the performance in Barcelona, also the best car on the grid; However, it was Max Verstappen on the Red Bull Ring who came out on top with a 0.093s lead on Lando Norris, followed by Oscar Piastri. There main response that Sprint will have to give It will be whether the number 4 can turn the situation around on the grid and get the victory in front of the home King by making full use of overtaking opportunities offered by the Spielberg circuit.
Also the weekend in Austria doesn’t seem to be a smile for Scuderia Ferrarithe two SF-24s will start from 5th position with Carlos Sainz and from 10th with Charles Leclerc; a result obtained after the number 16’s car went into anti-stall during the Q3 phase of yesterday’s sprint qualifying, causing the Monegasque driver retires.
The news of the Sprint Race in Austria
Not a smooth start for the Sprint Race in Austria which began with an aborted start and consequently, a further formation lap. When the traffic lights went out for the second time, Max Verstappen once again has a great start and runs away trying to immediately gain an advantage over Norris.
The first laps are marked with a war at home McLaren with Oscar Piastri trying to gain position on Lando Norris, while Carlos Sainz overtook George Russell to reach 4th position, while Charles Leclerc moved up to 7th position after overtaking two Alpines.
On lap 5, Max Verstappen goes wide offering a great opportunity for Lando Norris to overtake him, but the Dutchman doesn’t accept it and takes back the lead at turns 4 and 5. Oscar Piastri took advantage of the battle between Red Bull and his teammate to overtake the MCL38 number 4 and get into second place. Excellent defense by Carlos Sainz against Lewis Hamiltondespite the Spanish rider being slower than the rider who will take his place in 2025.
The first 10 to cross the finish line behind the Red Bull and the two McLarens were: George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll.
Now, appointment at 4pm for qualifications which will determine the start of tomorrow’s race!
Photo: Formula 1
