Hamilton wins as Mercedes dominate Styrian Gran Prix

A quality performance from Mercedes has led them to a 1-2 finish in Formula One’s first double header at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria.

The race took place at the same Red Bull Ring circuit which held the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, where Valterri Bottas was victorius.

After finishing fourth last weekend Lewis Hamilton put in a vintage performance to take an early lead and dictate the pace from early on. Behind was Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Bottas.

The Prancing Horses of Ferrari had a nightmare weekend with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc colliding by turn three in the first  lap, causing Leclerc to go over Vettel’s rear wing. The four time World Champion had to retire from the race, and to add to the nightmare Leclerc was then pitted to retire with floor damage from riding the curb and concequently was also out.

This was Ferrari’s worst result since Singapore 2017 when Kimi Raikkonen and Vettel became tangled up with the Red Bull of Verstappen taking both cars out by turn one.

Charles Leclerc issued an apology to his team and teammate after the race concluded.

The only other retirement during the race was the Renault of Esteban Ocon who retired with front brake issues.

There were some brilliant battles throughout the midfield with the two Racing Points of Lance Stroll and Segio Perez along with the McLaren’s of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris as well as the sole remaining Renault of Daniel Ricciardo.

The battles between Stroll and Norris gave some fantastic on track action, with Norris taking two positions to finish a respectable fifth on the final lap.

In a stand out performance Sergio Perez showed what he was capable of in an F1 car which may save his seat for next year should Racing Point consider taking on Sebastian Vettel when they become Aston Martin next season.

Sainz, who started a career best third on the grid, managed only ninth but with a fastest lap to add one point to his total. And Lance Stroll in the second Racing Point who put in a shift for the team to come home in seventh place.

Next week is the Hungarian Grand Prix.