A quiet Sunday afternoon for Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull team driver had signed a pole position after qualifying on Saturday.
On Sunday afternoon, the Dutchman managed to keep his first place in the Austrian Grand Prix on the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg.
Thanks to this 50th podium in his career, Verstappen consolidates his position at the top of the general classification of the world championship with 32 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton whose reign could well end this season.
Podium number 5️⃣0️⃣ for @ Max33Verstappen 🤯
Just how many more will he achieve in his career? #AustrianGP 🇦🇹 # F1 pic.twitter.com/dV3hZKxAXZ
- Formula 1 (@ F1) July 4, 2021
Hamilton in trouble
The Dutch driver quickly took control of this race and without conceding much to his opponents.
He gradually increased his lead by several seconds by regularly beating the fastest lap time to reach 1′06′'200 on lap 62. He finally finished with almost 18 seconds ahead of second Valterri Bottas (Mercedes).
Fifth driver to cross the starting line, the Finn managed to overtake Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) with twenty laps to go and had a good race.
The Briton on the other hand experienced great difficulties during this Austrian Grand Prix.
If he temporarily occupied second place a few seconds behind Verstappen, Hamilton encountered some technical problems and complained in particular about the condition of his rear axle at the end of the race.
While Verstappen has already won his fifth Grand Prix of the season as the mid-season approaches, this poor performance by the Mercedes team driver could cost him dearly in his quest for an eighth championship title. world..
🗨️ "I had no rear axle, it was very complicated"
Lewis Hamilton recounts the problems encountered during the halfway point 🗣️ # AustrianGP 🇦🇹 # Formula1 pic.twitter.com/hS4Llv6B0H
- CANAL + F1® (@ CanalplusF1) July 4, 2021
For Verstappen's main challengers after qualifying, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and Lando Norris (McLaren), the results are also mixed.
Neck to neck, they received precious penalty seconds.
If the Briton manages to finish on the podium, the Mexican finishes in sixth place while he was in third position on the starting line.
Disappointing race for Gasly
Surprisingly sixth after qualifying the day before, Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) lost several seconds during a pit stop at the start of the race.
Demoted to 18th place, the Norman driver failed to catch up and ended this Austrian Grand Prix narrowly in the top 10, in ninth position.
The other French driver entered, Esteban Ocon (Alpine), had to retire on the first lap after hitting the rear wheel of Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo).
Next meeting on Sunday July 18 at the Silverstone circuit for the British Grand Prix.
With the advantage of running at home, Lewis Hamilton will have a great opportunity to close the gap with Max Verstappen at the top of the overall World Cup standings.
