Max Verstappen got here as shut as ever to his first win of the season in Austria. The Pink Bull driver, having began fifth in Spielberg, emerged as George Russell’s important pursuer in the course of the System 1 Austrian Grand Prix and completed simply over 1.6s behind.
Pink Bull introduced a serious improve to Austria in an try to shut the hole to Mercedes and Ferrari, the 2 groups that appeared to have held the benefit in latest races. Whereas the package deal evidently delivered the specified step in efficiency, Toto Wolff nonetheless believes it was primarily Verstappen who put Pink Bull in competition for victory in Spielberg.
“I am not shocked in any respect,” Wolff stated, when requested after the race whether or not he was shocked to see Pink Bull as the primary challenger as an alternative of Ferrari.
“Pink Bull is one factor, nevertheless it was Max Verstappen. For me, the way it feels is like Max gained each single race right here that he is ever participated in, in no matter automobile. Spielberg is one among his robust locations.
“The automobile appears to have been going nicely and the Ferraris, I do not know what occurred to them.”
Verstappen has certainly gained 5 System 1 races on the Pink Bull Ring, together with each the Styrian and Austrian Grands Prix in 2021.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photograph by: Anni Graf – System 1 by way of Getty Photos
Wolff, nevertheless, didn’t purchase into the suggestion that Verstappen ought to now be seen as a championship risk. Requested whether or not he now thought of the Dutchman an element within the title struggle – or not less than somebody who might take factors away from the championship contenders – the Austrian responded with a joke.
“I feel this may very well be a George Russell thought,” he stated, suggesting that was studying an excessive amount of into the state of affairs. “[It’s an] over-complication.
“Max is all the time good for taking part in a task within the championship.
“That [Red Bull] automobile carried out nicely this weekend. I feel the largest issue this weekend was Max, to be sincere. He is capable of deliver out every part that’s in that automobile. You’ll be able to see that together with his team-mates.
“That is why you’ll be able to by no means low cost or underestimate the Verstappen issue for a championship.”
After Austria, it’s nonetheless Mercedes’ different driver, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship. The Italian, who completed third, is now 40 factors forward of Russell, with Lewis Hamilton dropping to 3rd, an additional six factors behind.
Verstappen, in the meantime, scored solely his second podium end this 12 months, now sits seventh within the standings, 98 factors behind Antonelli.
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