Verstappen wins the sprint in Austria and Alonso does not even start due to another breakdown

taketonews

  • The Dutchman consolidates his leadership and this Sunday he will start first in the main race against Leclerc and Sainz

Max Verstappen has been a ‘steamroller’ in the first race of the weekend in Austria. The leader of the World Championship, who yesterday won his third consecutive pole in Red Bull territory, has not had any opposition to take the eight points for the victory in the sprint race over 24 laps to the Spielberg circuit.

A success that also confirms him on pole for the main race tomorrow, Sunday (3:00 p.m., 71 laps). The fight without quarter in Ferrari, which has ended with charles leclerc in front of Carlos Sainz, Third on the podium, he gave way to ‘Mad’ Max, who extended his lead in the general standings.

Alonso’s KO

Fernando Alonso, who started eighth on the grid, has seen Ruined his career once again, even before starting, due to a failure in the Alpine car. He was no longer able to do the formation lap and after being sent to pit lane to try to solve the problem, he ended up returning to the garage without his car starting.

A new disappointment for the Asturian, who also sees his options in the main race weighed down, since the grid is ordered based on the sprint race this Saturday and Fernando will have to start penultimatejust ahead of boots (with penalty for changing engine).

Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) also ran out of power and had to start from the pit lane, but unlike Alonso, the Chinese driver was able to race normally.

Pulse in Ferrari

Carlos Sainzthird on the grid, reacted very well to the traffic lights and taking advantage of the fact that he started on the clean part of the track, he managed to reach the first corner ahead of his teammate Leclerc and even attacked Verstappenbut he over-braked and shortly afterwards Leclerc regained position with the man from Madrid, while, ahead, the Red Bull leader put land in the middle at a devastating pace.

Sergio Perezwho started thirteenth after the sanction received yesterday in qualifying, had been climbing like a ‘missile’ aboard his RB18, unlike Lewis Hamiltonhard-pressed to stay in the top 10 with the Mercedes.

Sainz, third

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Sainz and Leclerc have engaged in a pulse of high voltage, which confirmed the words of the Scudería boss before the race by clarifying that they would allow “total freedom to fight” for their two drivers. The main beneficiary of the fight at Ferrari has been Verstappen, who has distanced himself from his rivals in red.

At the end of the 24 laps, the current champion has imposed his law to add his seventh win of the season, while Leclerc, with the fastest lap, and Sainz completed the podium. Russell and Checo Pérez have signed the ‘top five’ in another great performance by the British and the Mexican.



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