The Austrian Grand Prix began in unusually hot weather at the Red Bull Ring, but with the usual festival atmosphere, where we saw an unexpected surprise.
Max Verstappen made a great start and after a few corners he had a significant lead. The starts behind him were also good, Lando Norris and George Russell also got off to a good start, but there was no significant change in the positions. Charles Leclerc's car was damaged in the scuffles after the start, but he was able to continue the race after replacing a front wing. The next 15 laps were practically boring, apart from a couple of minor battles and changes of position, the race was very dull. Verstappen's lead at the front was already unattainable at this point, the only "excitement factor" was perhaps the progress of the two Alpine top 10s.
We were already well into the last third of the race when the Rock'n Roll factor entered the race: Verstappen started complaining that there was a "problem behind him", and then the Dutchman was called to the pits. Unfortunately for them, at the worst possible time, together with Norris, which resulted in a loss of four seconds of time. McLaren was immediately on the RB's neck, and then tried to enter the exit of the third, but Verstappen still managed to change places. In the meantime, the flag was waved to the Briton, who had only one throw left, he could not leave the track boundaries anymore. Knowing this, he overtook Verstappen - by leaving the track - but gave the position back. He repeated this by pushing Verstappen, and then the drama came at the next corner. During another battle, the drivers came into contact, Verstappen punctured, Norris punctured, Norris retired, Verstappen remained...
It is worth adding that the Dutchman's actions strongly scratched the boundaries of sportsmanship, but all this was no longer interesting, because thanks to the situation we could certainly have crowned an unusual winner. Because it fell into the lap of George Russell, who took a landslide victory ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz!
