The Formula One Austrian Grand Prix may be a turning point in this season’s title race. The scenario has now occurred where Max Verstappen fails to score the bigger points in a Grand Prix while Sergio in his usual lower regions of the top ten. Yet Red Bull were fortunate given only Mercedes who are in third place could benefit from their two cars closing the gap on the world champions.
Theres another reason the Austrian Grand Prix was a turning point, it was the race where finally it erupted between the two drivers’ title contenders. Prior to the cars hitting the track in Spielberg, Lando had discussed with the media how after such a close race in Barcelona, he and Max had taken the same flight home together.
The British driver had discussed how both he and Max had “proper respect” for each other and how their racing had always been ‘on the edge’, but “clean.”
Red Bull pit stop error
Having made their final pit stops, which Red Bull messed up meaning Max’s previous eight second lead was now just over two seconds, Norris and Verstappen went at it hammer and tongues for some ten laps.
Lando tried a number of times to make the overtake, yet the inside line into turn three was not working for him and he picked up a time penalty for repeated track limits violations. The came the fatal ,lap 54. This time Norris was close again up the hill after turn 1.
Yet this time he decided to take the outside line in an attempt to catch Verstappen out, something he clearly managed. As the cars entered the braking zone, replays showed clearly Max moved to the left and ran Norris out of room.
Both cars suffered punctures as they ran wide at turn 3, yet Max enjoyed a huge stroke of luck when the rubber which was completely off the rim slid back into position. This saw the RB20 cruise into the pits comfortably to change tyres and continue the race.
Red Bull boss admits crisis looms
Verstappen puncture ‘fortunate’
Lando by way of contrast saw the rubber begin to shred quickly. The flailing strands of Pirelli were doing damage to the rear of the car plus Lando was driving on the metal rim at less than half the speed Verstappen could manage.
The stewards quickly decided Verstappen was to blame for “causing a collision” and awarded a harsher penalty than they needed to in the form of ten seconds instead of just five. Then came the wall of words from ex-F1 drivers and analysts alike, all discussing moving in the braking zone.
Of course there is no law in the sporting code for ‘moving under breaking’ as it appeared to be suggested by Sky F1’s sky pad expert, Anthony Davidson, nut there is a gentleman’s agreement across all motorsport that you simply do not do this.
Max was well briefed on the matter before he faced the media, as he attempted to give a technical explanation for why he was not guilty as charged. “For me, it was not moving under braking. Because every time that I moved, I was not braking already. Of course, from the outside, it always looks like that, but I think I know fairly well what to do in these kind of scenarios.”
There is no rule about moving under braking
Max’s semantics attempt to circumvent the notion that what is not acceptable is “moving in the braking zone” which is defined by the area beyond the 150m marker board. Under braking turning the wheel is never the best way to corner.
Verstappen did recognise the stewards were particularly unhappy with them as he noted: “I went back[wards] and it feels 10 seconds seemed a bit severe for me at that point. Because I didn’t feel like it was super – like anything kind of aggressive – going on in that movement.”
Whilst the rulings of the stewards are not intended to meet out justice in proportion to the consequences of the crime, they clearly felt the crime itself was more severe than usual given the penalty was ten and not five seconds for Max’s misdemeanours at turn 3.
Lando Norris looked inconsolable after the race and stating: “I just expected a bit more from him, that’s all,” Norris said. “I don’t wanna talk about it too much. I do what I can – I try and drive a good, fair race. It’s just not what I got in return from his side.
Verstappen reveals latest Red Bull infighting
McLaren suffer financially
“I feel like what he did was unfair from my side. Three of the times no warning was issued. He did it again the final time and ruined both our races,” Lando explained.
McLaren’s star driver also explained the collateral damage from Max’s actions could affect his chances at the team’s up and coming home race in Silverstone in a few days. The team had brought upgrades specifically for Austria and the improved down force was demonstrated in the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
“The best bits of the car – all for the bin,” Norris told media. ”We don’t have a lot of space in the battle that we’re in, in terms of upgrades and budget cap and things like that.
“My whole cars destroyed – and these are all the bits that we needed for next week. It’s not just a repercussion of what happens on the track, it’s everything that now we have to carry into Silverstone and be disadvantaged by.”
Max strong statement on Norris
Fia need to consider “consequences”
Online a number of fans were outraged at the ten second time penalty given to Max, which made no difference to his race result given he was more than that behind the car behind. Verstappen was awarded two penalty points forms super license too.
Yet as teams come to the part of the season where their attention turns to next year’s car, McLaren will now have to sacrifice something else to deliver new parts for Lando’s car which was damaged by Max.
Maybe its time for the FIA to reconsider the “consequences” aspect of a rules violation, it could reign in some of the excessive aggression we see at times, though may dull down the racing.
Ricciardo hits back at ‘unfair criticism’
Daniel Ricciardo, once celebrated for his ever-present grin, is now facing immense pressure as he battles to save his Formula One career. The Australian has acknowledged the seriousness of his situation, leading him to review his processes, focus on clean-up and prioritise the essentials.
Peter Bayer, the Racing Bulls’ team principal, has noticed Ricciardo’s renewed commitment. In an interview with Motorsport-Total.com, Bayer praised Ricciardo’s commitment: “He works extremely hard and has given up a lot of his other commitments to focus 100 per cent on driving. He has even switched off his Instagram account on his phone and left it to his management to ensure there are no distractions.”… READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
“FIA REGULATIONS NEED ‘BEEFING UP’”. – all the while the Drive to Survive experts want less rules. You can’t please all the people all of the time.
Verstappen believes he is always right. Through several races he pushed Hamilton off the track. At Silverstone the coming together with Hamilton was a result of him turning into Hamilton when he could have stayed wide.
He knew that another car was inside and he knew it was Hamilton so he took the action that could have killed two drivers. Hamilton used tactics that he uses all the time.
Push inside and brake late meaning that he has to go across the corner.
A motorcycling block pass.
When he tried to overtake Hamilton at Monza, turn 1, and ended up on top of Hamilton he stated ” that’s what happens when you don’t leave room inside.”
One day he could cause a fatal incident, but would he care.
NO
Ruthless egotistical who will stop at nothing.
Crybaby. Get a life.
Isn’t it funny Duckey, our friend Vijay, a staunchly “anti Hamilton” fan makes a post with a similar yet mirror image viewpoint – nothing. Yet here, you post up a weak “Crybaby. Get a life” argument
Says a lot
Here, in this race, they had hard fight, leading to a collision. Lando retired and Max got some points but not first place.
The people who cry for this incident to make rules more stricter, all these years, where were they been.
In 2021 British gp, LH took Max out and he too got 10 second penalty. After that, he went on to win the gp and he jumped in joy in the podium.
Nobody who are crying now, haven’t cried that time.
The rule was same that time and this time.
I’m not going to get drawn into the debate on who was right or wrong, but in this ccst capped era, how about this for an idea. The party seemed guilty by the stewards (in this case Red Bull) foot the bill for the damage caused to both teams cars.
In this case Mclaren would not be liable for the cost of the replacement parts, but it would come out of Red Bulls allowance for the year, and therefore be a major penalty against the transgressor.
The teams then have a responsibility for the drivers actions as well, while the innocent party is not unfairly penalised for the repair cost.
All decisions are made by an independent party anyway (the stewards) so no bias.
Might just mean there is a punishment for poor driving, which, let’s face it, a 10s time penalty isn’t.
Interesting. It’s been suggested before and I second it
It is an interesting idea, but one that wont happen (or work) as it would effectively mean that the invigilators of the race, the stewards, are in control (or at least could be accused of having SOME control) of the championship, through the budgets that the teams have…. say the points were currently closer than they are now between Max and Lando, and the stewards awarded or penalised Red Bull 750m Euros for the damage to the McLaren. That would come out of their budget for the season, hampering their development but they wouldnt be able to add that on top of their budget without going over their cost cap. Therefore, the stewards would be interfering with the outcome of the championship
If a driver is deemed to have cause an accident and the other car is forced to retire then it should be an automatic 10 second stop and go into the pits. This has to be served with in one lap. If at the end of the race it 10 seconds plus pit time entry and exit. Let the punishment fit the crime.