Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One champion, solidified his quest for a third consecutive world title with a commanding victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. Starting from pole position for the fourth consecutive race, Verstappen secured his fifth win in a row and seventh victory out of nine races this season, significantly widening his championship lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 81 points. The race was marked by numerous penalties for exceeding track limits, impacting several drivers.
Verstappen expressed immense satisfaction with his performance and the seamless operation of his team. He even pitted with two laps remaining to attempt the fastest lap, a move that ultimately paid off with a bonus point, despite his team's initial hesitation. This victory marked Verstappen's 42nd F1 win, placing him fifth on the all-time winners list, surpassing the legendary Ayrton Senna.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished second, trailing Verstappen by 5.2 seconds, while Perez secured the third spot. Verstappen's pit stop for the fastest lap attempt slightly reduced his winning margin. Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari's upgrades and future performance. However, he acknowledged the significant pace advantage of Verstappen and Perez.
Post-race penalties for exceeding track limits reshuffled the final standings. Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz Jr., and others received penalties, with Sainz and Hamilton incurring additional penalties after a protest by Aston Martin. Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso moved up to fourth and fifth place, respectively, while Sainz and Hamilton dropped to sixth and eighth. Perez's third-place finish marked his first podium since the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull's dominance continued with nine wins in nine races, extending to 11 including sprint races. Verstappen controlled the race from the start, maintaining his lead after a brief safety car period and subsequent restart. Hamilton initially performed well but struggled with car control and track limits. A virtual safety car period led to tire changes for most teams, but Verstappen and Perez opted to stay out, a strategic decision that proved advantageous.
The Red Bull Ring's challenging track limits led to numerous infringements. Hamilton's complaints about other drivers prompted team principal Toto Wolff to urge him to focus on driving. Perez, under pressure from Sainz, received a warning about track limits. Aston Martin's protest regarding penalties contrasted with the general sentiment among drivers, who expressed frustration with the track limit rules. The FIA acknowledged the difficulties in enforcing track limits during the race and recommended adding a gravel trap at Turns 9 and 10.
While many drivers support adding gravel, the track owners have resisted due to the circuit also hosting a MotoGP race, where gravel traps are less desirable.
