Formula 1 started again after the third longest break in its history with an Austrian Grand Prix full of spectacle which saw Scuderia Ferrari pick up a second and tenth place with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel respectively. Both drivers were the authors of a final part of the race all on the attack which saw them make several exciting overtaking.
Important day. Sunday in Austria is destined to remain in the history of Formula 1 and beyond. The top car category was in fact the first sport in the world to resume after the pandemic and a message was dedicated to the victims of Covid-19 that appeared on the screens during the training lap. Before the start, however, the drivers gathered on the finish line wearing the t-shirt with the words "end racism", To underline the commitment of Formula 1 to promoting a better change in motorsport, within a series of initiatives that is carried out through the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne. On the SF1000 the Scuderia Ferrari also wanted the message to appear this weekend #GoAlex, to support the former Paralympic pilot and multiple champion who is fighting for life in the hospital of Siena.
First laps. When the red lights went out, Charles managed to maintain the seventh starting position, while Sebastian was reactive enough to jump in front of Daniel Ricciardo's Renault. In the eleventh lap, both Scuderia drivers benefited from Max Verstappen's retirement and four laps later Vettel managed to overtake Lance Stroll's Racing Point for eighth position. On the 25th lap Kevin Magnussen had a problem with his Haas' brakes and forced the race direction to bring in the Safety Car. At this moment both Charles and Seb made their first pitstop, starting again with Hard tires.
Round 31. On the thirty-first lap, when all the cars were close after restarting from the Safety Car phase, Vettel approached Carlos Sainz's McLaren and attempted the attack on the Spaniard in turn 3. Unfortunately the cars came into contact and had the worst was the German who spun and had to start from the last position.
Other Safety Car. Twenty laps later the safety car had to enter the track again, this time for George Russell's retirement with Williams, stationary along the track. The two Ferraris, therefore, returned to the pits for a new tire change in which they mounted Soft tires. Charles was sixth at that point, behind Alexander Albon (Red Bull), Sergio Perez (Racing Point) and Lando Norris (McLaren). Seb was 13th behind Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo).
Pyrotechnic ending. In the last laps Charles and Sebastian did their best. During the 64th lap Charles managed to overtake Norris on the outside in turns 4-5-6, and two laps later he was able to put his wheels ahead of those of Sergio Perez's Racing Point going up to third position. . Shortly before, in fact, Albon had spun following a contact with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes which was shortly penalized by five seconds for that collision. This turned the Monegasque's third place under the checkered flag into a second, while Sebastian managed to take home the last point available after a very aggressive final.
Numbers. Today's podium number eleven in his career for Charles Leclerc, which replicates last year's result on this track. As for the Scuderia Ferrari, this is podium number 771, the 26th in the Austrian Grand Prix. For the next appointment, an absolute first time, Formula 1 will not change location. On Sunday 12 July we will go back to the track in Spielberg for the first Styrian Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc "The team did a fantastic job all weekend, both in terms of preparing the car and in terms of strategy. We knew that we had to do everything right to bring home a prestigious result. I said to myself that I should take advantage of every opportunity and I think I have always driven with this thought in mind. I am very happy with this result: we certainly did not expect to finish today's race in second place. Obviously we are delighted to have opened the season with a podium, but we cannot ignore the fact that we are not where we would like to be in terms of performance. We were lucky this weekend, with the Safety Cars constantly shuffling the cards, but at the moment it doesn't seem that we are in a position to play the victory. In terms of morale, we have to stay motivated to do well and I know that all the guys in the factory are working hard to get us back on track stronger. It is with this spirit that we can overcome this non-ideal moment and continue to aim for the goals we have set ourselves ".
Sebastian Vettel: "For me today was clearly a disappointing race, even though we knew it would be difficult even before starting it. Throughout the afternoon, right from the second lap, I did not have the right sensations from the car, a bit like I also had during qualifying. The balance and speed I had found on Friday disappeared and I struggled to drive the car. Now we have to stop and analyze everything in detail to try to do better next week ”.
Mattia BinottoTeam Principal: "A really intense weekend that ended with a result that goes beyond what could have been our expectations on the eve and, even more so, after qualifying. Charles drove an extraordinary race, fighting like a lion from the first to the last lap and taking advantage of every opportunity that presented itself to him: today's second place is above all thanks to him. Sebastian at least managed to get into the points but was in more trouble than his teammate as regards the balance of the car and now we have to analyze the reasons, especially in view of next weekend. "
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