This must be a strange sight, just fixed by the objectives of the cameras. This was a race, the first of the season, suspense with many machines affected by breakages of mechanical. The Finn Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) finally won the Grand Prize in the season-opening Formula 1, Sunday in Austria, played behind closed doors after more than three months late due to the coronavirus.
The Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and the British Lando Norris (McLaren), who is directing for the first time on the podium, complete the classification of a race full of twists and turns. Both benefit from the five-second penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) to have snagged the Thai Alexander Albon (Red Bull), which had to exceed it.
The British, already penalised three places on the grid for a mistake in qualifying, had crossed the line in second position. The point for the best lap in the race also returns to Norris, who confirms his talent and the return to form of McLaren.
Hamilton, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren), the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Racing Points), the French Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) and Esteban Ake (Renault), the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) and the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), hung by Sainz during the race, rounded out the top 10.
The first GP of the year 2020, in front of the stands empty, was without pity for the mechanical, with no less than nine withdrawals over twenty cars at the start (Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen, Romain Grosjean, George Russell, Kimi Räikkönen, Alexander Albon and Daniil Kvyat). The Mercedes also have feared for their gearboxes for a large part of the race.
black Mercedes benz, knee to the ground
Prior to departure, fourteen pilots on twenty, and several mechanics have laid a knee on the grid as a sign of support to the fight against racism. All the pilots were dressed in tee-shirts hit the words “End Racism” (to end racism), except Hamilton, who sported the slogan ” Black Lives Matter “.
Encouraged by the British, the first driver of black of the category, several drivers and teams, as well as the F1 and the international automobile Federation (FIA), has taken a stand recently against racism following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in the United States at the end of may.
Sunday, the choice had been left up to the drivers to express themselves in their own way, their commitment in this fight.
Originally scheduled for 15 march in Australia, the start of the season has been shifted to the beginning of the month of July. On the same circuit, a second Grand Prize will take place next week. Only eight Grands Prix listed in the provisional calendar, while the promoter of the championship (Formula One) wish to schedule between 15 and 18, instead of 22.
F1/GP Austria – The general classification
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) the 306,452 km in 1: 30 : 55.739
2. Charles Leclerc (MY/Ferrari), 2,700
3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) at 5.491
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) at 5.689 *
5. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) at 8.903
6. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Racing Point-Mercedes) at 15.092 *
7. Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri-Honda) to 16.682
8. Esteban Ake (FRA/Renault) at 17.456
9. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) at 21.146
10. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 24.545
11. Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) at 31.650
12. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri-Honda) DNF
13. Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda) DNF
* Penalized of 5 sec, Hamilton for hooking Albon, Perez for speeding in the pit lane
Best lap in race : Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) 1:07.475 to the 71st round (average : 230,378 km/h)
Dropouts :
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda): e 12th tour
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault): cooling problem 18th lap
Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes): mechanical problem lap 21
Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) brakes 25th tour
Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari): brakes 50th tour
George Russell (GBR/Williams): mechanical problem 50th lap
Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari): wheel finish 54th tour
Alexander Albon (THA/Red Bull-Honda): mechanical problem after hooking 68th round (classified)
Daniil Kvyat (RUS/AlphaTauri-Honda): puncture 68th lap (classified)
