FeatureF1 Unlocked
MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: The key strategy call came on Lap 14 in Austria, so who got it right – Red Bull or Ferrari?
Special Contributor
Mark HughesMax Verstappen could probably have won the Austrian Grand Prix any way he liked. He was already dominating the race, over 5 seconds in the lead on the 14th lap, when he and Red Bull faced a moment of decision about how to react to the Virtual Safety Car thrown when Nico Hulkenberg's Haas broke down.
Verstappen and the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were already past the pit entry when it came, but most of those behind took the decision to pit, thus saving time over a normal pit stop taken with the field at full racing speed. The VSC was still in force as the lead trio came by on the next lap and this time the two Ferraris came in – but Verstappen stayed out.
READ MORE: Verstappen beats Leclerc for victory in Austria to make it five wins in a row
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Report FP2: Leclerc stays in front during second practice in Imola from Piastri and Tsunoda
News Leclerc feels rivals ‘hid their game’ as Ferrari slip back in Imola qualifying but insists ‘target remains to win’
Video MUST-SEE: Alonso brings out the red flags with heavy crash in FP3 at Imola
Video HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the FP1 action from Imola as Leclerc sets the pace, with Verstappen P5