F1 2020 Styrian Grand Prix: ‘Unbelievable’ drama in F1 mid-field thriller, Daniel Ricciardo 8th – NEWS.com.au

It may have been a historic race as the first ever Styrian Grand Prix but the result was once again according to plan for Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finishing 1-2.Hamilton was dominant throughout, winning by 13 seconds over Bottas, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen righting his early retirement last week with his teammate Alexander Albon in fourth.
But the real story was once again in the mid-field with a crazy finish to the race.
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In the penultimate lap, Aussie Daniel Ricciardo was holding sixth ahead of Racing Point’s Lance Stroll and McLaren’s Lando Norris with Racing Point’s Sergio Perez ahead.
But wing damage saw Perez fall back to the field on the final lap as Norris and Stroll finally made their move on Ricciardo.
Stroll pushed Ricciardo off the track to overtake which went to the stewards room but ultimately nothing no further action was taken.
Stewards confirm no further action for Stroll on his move on Ricciardo at Turn 3
Rightly so. He absolutely sent it! Epic overtake!#F1#AustrianGP
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) July 12, 2020
While the Aussie seemed to be struggling with speed after teammate Esteban Ocon retired with overheating issues, similar to what Ricciardo had last week, it came right down to the wire.
Ricciardo wasn’t going to back down but it was Norris who cut through the field, moving up to fifth in an incredible finish.
Perez and Stroll were next followed by Ricciardo in eighth.
The final distance between sixth and eight was 0.204 seconds to which Sky Sports commentator David Croft said was “unbelievable”.
He also pointed out that Perez was lucky with a short distance to the line as he could have dropped all the way to eighth after starting the lap in fifth.
Perez said post-race that he was “lucky to only lose out in only one position”.
Raced at the Red Bull Ring, the same track as last week’s Austrian Grand Prix, the Styrian Grand Prix is named that way because every F1 race needs to have a unique name.
But after a rain soaked qualifying, it was set to be a wild race with plenty of thrills and spills.
Unfortunately for Ferrari, the thrills and spills cost them on the opening lap.
In traffic, Charles Leclerc bounced off a curb and took out his teammate Sebastian Vettel’s rear wing.
Vettel was quick to retire and Leclerc followed soon after.
Vettel said he didn’t think there was any space and said it was a “shame”.
“I was fighting two other cars,” Vettel said.
“I was very surprised because I had the inside and wasn’t expecting Charles to try something so I don’t think there was any space. It’s a big pity and something we should avoid but not much I could have done differently.”
Leclerc also took full responsibility and apologised to his teammate and the team.
“I apologised, obviously, excuses are not enough in times like this, I’m disappointed in myself, I’ve don’t a very bad job today, I’ve let the team down,” he said.
“I can only be sorry even though I know it’s not enough and I hope I’ll learn from this and come back stronger for the next races.”
Hamilton also waited until the end of the national anthem to make a stand as well.
He said for the podium he wouldn’t kneel but raised his fist in an allusion to Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics.
RESULTS
1: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2: Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4: Alexander Albon, Red Bull
5: Lando Norris, McLaren
6: Sergio Perez, Racing Point
7: Lance Stroll, Racing Point
8: Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
9: Carlos Sainz, McLaren
10: Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri
Updates
11:46 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
The Renault “reliability gremlins” have struck again with Esteban Ocon forced to retire with smoke billowing out of his car.
It’s only lap 27 so hopefully they don’t attack Ricciardo as well.
Ricciardo is in sixth, two seconds behind Carlos Sainz.
11:43 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
Charles Leclerc has apologised for taking out his teammate Sebastian Vettel on the first lap.
He admitted he was too optimistic in his move and apologised to his teammate and the team.
“I apologised, obviously, excuses are not enough in times like this, I’m disappointed in myself, I’ve don’t a very bad job today, I’ve let the team down,” he said. “I can only be sorry even though I know it’s not enough and I hope I’ll learn from this and come back stronger for the next races.”
11:40 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
Daniel Ricciardo has finally overtaken Esteban Ocon as his Renault teammate didn’t want to give an inch.
But in what the commentators said was three laps too late, the Aussie has moved into sixth on the 20th lap and has his eyes on McLaren’s Carlos Sainz in fifth.
The slow overtake though may have played into Racing Points’ hands with Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez right behind Ocon and Ricciardo.
11:21 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
The first lap has seen some excitement already with Sebastian Vettel already out of the Styrian Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion tried to go down the inside of his teammate Charles Leclerc with his younger teammate dislodging the rear wing.
It would take too long to fix so Vettel was garaged.
But it wasn’t long before he was joined by Leclerc as Ferrari coul
Leclerc has copped the blame by the Sky Sports commentators, who called it clumsy.
“Leclerc got on the kerb and that’s what launched the car into Vettel’s rear wing,” says David Croft.
“Why would he lunge up the inside of his team-mate like that?” asks Martin Brundle of Leclerc.
Vettel said he didn’t think there was any space and said it was a “shame”.
“I was fighting two other cars,” Vettel said. “I was very surprised because I had the inside and wasn’t expecting Charles to try something so I don’t think there was any space. It’s a big pity and something we should avoid but not much I could have done differently.”
11:18 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
Sky Sports commentator Simon Lazenby questioned whether the drivers should have taken a united front this week.
Lewis Hamilton leading the conversation on this and taking a knee again, Lazenby said on Sky Sports. He said he had no problem with any of the drivers and team members who decided against taking a knee but he did stress he doesnt want to see this campaign for change die a silent death and the sport can do more.
“Its a shame that theyve gone off those pictures after people questioned the apparent lack of unity last week with some kneeling and some not, youve got to ask the question would it have been in the best interests in the image of this sport to get it together this week. Thats not a judgement, its for you to decide at home.
“The images still dont seem to fit the message in this the most global of sports. If NASCAR, football and cricket can get it right, why cant Formula One. Thats the question. From where Im standing here, we have seen some taking an knee and some not, its just a mixed message.
10:13 pmJuly 12, 2020Highlight
Formula One drivers and teams have been warned they risk prison sentences and fines if they ignore strict coronavirus lockdown measures to be imposed at next weekends Hungarian Grand Prix.
It leaves Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Williams looking down quarantine and only able to leave their hotels and go to the Hungaroring.
An announcement by the Hungarian Government, with special focus on people from Britain and non-EU countries, was sent to the teams at the Red Bull Ring on Saturday, according to Autosport.
The report said that those who break the lockdown measures would face imprisonment or a 15,000 Euros fine ($A25,000).
Hamilton said he would sleep at the track in a motorhome to avoid any unnecessary risks.
“I was only made aware of it before qualifying,” he said.
“It doesn’t affect me because I stay at the track, but there will be protocols in place for the team.
“They have been fantastic in terms of how they have managed their bubble during this time.
“I don’t know how their set-up will be and it is unfortunate that unlike us, they cannot stay at the track.
“It is a challenge but these are challenging times and why we are taking it very seriously.”
Seven Formula One teams are based in Britain and the restrictions are expected to apply to most of the 2,000 people expected to be present at the Hungarian race.
An official communication, sent to the teams, was quoted saying: Attendees of UK or other non-EU or EEA nationality should not leave the venue, or their accommodation, for any reason other than for travel between the two locations and for their pre-arranged arrival and departure to and from Hungary.
The document, a copy of which has been seen by Autosport, added that attendees of UK or other non-EU or EEA nationality may not use public transport and taxis.
Any meals should be taken at either the venue or the accommodation and any free time should be spent within the boundaries of the accommodation.
Failure to adhere to these additional restrictions will be punishable by the Hungarian authorities and may result in imprisonment and/or fines of up to approximately 15,000 Euros.
It was made clear also that it was recommended that all F1 personnel who travel to Budapest adhere to the Hungarian restrictions.
The warning comes as F1s governing body the FIA are investigating Ferraris Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes for leaving the Formula One bubble at Spielberg this week to return home to Monaco.
– with AFP

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