VALTTERI BOTTAS UNSTOPPABLE IN AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX

Valtteri Bottas lead the Austria Grand Prix from start to finish – Photo: LAT

Valtteri Bottas was unstoppable at the Red Bull Ring, leading the the Austrian Grand Prix from start to finish.

The Mercedes driver launched off the start to take the lead of the race as soon as the lights went out. In fact Bottas’ start was so quick that he was investigated for jumping it, which was later deemed ok. That would be the last major drama he faced in the race, taking an almost straight forward victory in Austria, even with Sebastian Vettel closing in on the final laps.

Ferrari’s Vettel slotted into second from the start and while he closed in on Bottas as the race neared it’s completion, he didn’t quite gain enough track position to properly challenge the Mercedes and remained in second for the duration of the race.

Aussie Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) kept out of trouble during the race and held off a late challenge from the second Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton to grab the last spot on the podium, his fifth consecutive podium.

Daniil Kvyat spins Fernando Alonso at the first corner – Photo: LAT

The start of the race had some drama when Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) braked to late at Turn 1 and crashed into Fernando Alonso (McLaren) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) spinning all three cars. Alonso and Verstappen would have to retire due to damage sustained. Kvyat continued to finish the race, but received a drive-through penalty for the incident.

On Lap 30 Kevin Magnussen had further issues with his Haas, after his problems in qualifying, retiring from the race with gearbox and hydraulic concerns. Carlos Sainz Jr. also had to retire his Toro Rosso with mechanical issues.

After the Austrian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel maintains a 20 point lead in the Formula 1 World Championship over Lewis Hamilton.

Austrian Grand Prix Race Results:

Pos. Driver Chassis Laps Time/Gap
1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 71 1:21’48.527
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 71 0.658
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 71 6.012
4 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 71 7.430
5 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 71 20.370
6 Romain Grosjean Haas 71 1’13.160
7 Sergio Perez Force India 70 1 lap
8 Esteban Ocon Force India 70 1 lap
9 Felipe Massa Williams 70 1 lap
10 Lance Stroll Williams 70 1 lap
11 Jolyon Palmer Renault 70 1 lap
12 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 70 1 lap
13 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 70 1 lap
14 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber 70 1 lap
15 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 69 2 laps
16 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 68 3 laps
DNF Carlos Sainz Jr. Toro Rosso 44
DNF Kevin Magnussen Haas 29
DNF Fernando Alonso McLaren 1
DNF Max Verstappen Red Bull 0

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