The current world champion and leader of the general classification this season surpassed the two Ferraris in the short race this weekend, those of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc and the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr, second and third respectively after the 23 laps of the circuit. Spielberg. Thanks to this victory, Verstappen adds eight more points to his private account this season and therefore reinforces his leadership.
“It was a good race. I have been at my maximum from start to finish,” Verstappen said.
“The first few laps allowed me to manage the difference and then I was able to maintain my pace”, he celebrated, although he estimated that “tomorrow (Sunday) will be much longer and we will have to be careful with the tires”.
Behind Verstappen’s Red Bull, the two Ferraris maintained a balanced pulse, which finally opted for Leclerc’s side, second this Saturday.
“It has been quite difficult. Max attacked early and I wanted to attack late. I fought well with Carlos. I hope to be able to put more pressure on Max tomorrow and I hope we can work as a team”, wished the Monegasque driver.
Sainz Jr, winner last Sunday in Great Britain of the previous World Cup race, considered for his part that “perhaps I overheated the tires a little” and that this made him “finish behind Charles”.
This Saturday’s sprint race was also marked by a great comeback in positions by Mexican Sergio Pérez, Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. The driver from Guadalajara had started this Saturday in 13th place, after a penalty on Friday, and finished the sprint race in fifth place.
The Spanish Fernando Alonso (Alpine), by contrast, had to leave this Saturday and will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.
The Austrian Grand Prix, whose main race starts on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. GMT), is the second of the three events of the season to be held with an innovative format launched last year, in which the qualifying session it is brought forward to Friday and on Saturday a short race is held that determines the ‘pole’ for the long race on Sunday.
