2019 [R09] Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, 28-30 June

[DutchDopey]

Is there anyone serious that considers Leclerc could have won this race ?

[erudite450]

For a pundit/commentator, Damon Hill has no idea what went on in the race.

[LM10]

From a neutral point of view, it was the best race of the season.

Leclerc faultless, but Ferrari as a team could (again) have done a better job. I don’t understand why they pitted that early when both drivers still were faster than Mercedes on the Mediums?
The delayed pit stop in Vettel’s case cost him a podium today. And if both drivers would have been pitted about 10 laps later, a 1-2 finish would have not been that unrealistic.

As for the incident between Max and Leclerc, the dutch boy forced him off track and needs to be penalized for that. But even if he loses his win afterwards, it would mean Leclerc doesn’t get the opportunity to celebrate his first win on podium. Leclerc deserved more than that!

[F1NAC]

Just listened to NR6 stream after the race. Nico basically did similar to Max in 2016 Hockenheim and got 5 seconds penalty

[DutchDopey]

Is there anyone serious that considers Leclerc could have won this race ?

Almost everyone, except those blinded by Max Verstappen love.

Oh come on, a round further Leclerc would have been given blue flags.

[zibby43]

I doubt cooling problems prevent powerunit power for 1 lap. It must be the extra cooling vents in the bodywork compromising the aero.

But surely not 6 tenths.

It’s easily 6 tenths/lap from the bodywork changes alone.

[Just_a_fan]

Is there anyone serious that considers Leclerc could have won this race ?

Yes, if he'd used the cut back on Max rather than trying to go around the outside of the corner. Live and learn.

[JordanMugen]

Care to elaborate why he left clean racing room on the outside the previous lap, but not the next lap when he hit Leclerc instead of leaving clean racing room again ?

Because Verstappen was trying to win the race, that's why.

Same as what Vettel was trying to do in Canada. Same as how Ricciardo was trying to get 6th (IIRC) place in France.

But in this case I think it is a marginal racing incident and no penalty is required, unlike those other cases.

[subcritical71]

Leclerc could have dealt differently in order to maintain P1. I think it's not about whats right or wrong. All people asking for penalties are keeping the current rules alive. Max could have turned in earlier but Leclerc also could have avoided impact, stayed as close alongside Max as possible and focus on corner exit. I think Leclerc would have kept P1.

I think what people want most is consistency so we know what the rules actually are. And why does a defending driver need to do so outside of track limits?

[turbof1]

Yeah so we have another controversy and behold we have people who can't stay respectful!

I'll be handing out some warnings. Please, you can have difference opinions, but do you guys really need to feel the need to insult eachother?

[atanatizante]

So Merc ending some 20 sec. behind Max means they lost some 3 tenths per lap (nonetheless, just crippled today they managed to get a podium!) ...

Now taking into account they lose some 5 tenths with the compromised cooling, some 1-2 tenths for lift and coasting and maybe another 2 tenths for running a weaker PU race mode, my question is what would have been their race pace without those handicaps today?

[Dr. Acula]

As for the incident between Max and Leclerc, the dutch boy forced him off track and needs to be penalized for that. But even if he loses his win afterwards, it would mean Leclerc doesn’t get the opportunity to celebrate his first win on podium. Leclerc deserved more than that!

Unfortunately you don't always get what you deserve. I think Honda would actually deserve this first win in the Turbo-Hybrid era after the great work they did recently but so does Leclerc for his flawless performance today.

[dans79]

Honestly, I think the collision was Charles's fault, he looks to be trying to defend from the outside and tried to turn in tighter at the very end and made contact. I think it will be a no further actions.

[Shrieker]

Is there anyone serious that considers Leclerc could have won this race ?

Almost everyone, except those blinded by Max Verstappen love.

Oh come on, a round further Leclerc would have been given blue flags.

You seem to be overlooking the fact that after the move looked to be complete in the first attempt for Max, Leclerc did a great job hanging round the outside, getting a better drive off the corner and retained the lead. What makes you think the same wouldn't have happened if Leclerc wasn't thrown off the track with a hit ? Yes Max was clearly much faster and had a great great race up until that point, but that doesn't merit a win on its own.

Racecraft is an art. And you have to be a good artist to make it clean.

[langedweil]

Honestly, I think the collision was Charles's fault, he looks to be trying to defend from the outside and tried to turn in tighter at the very end and made contact. I think it will be a no further actions.

I second that ... especially as lec ran into ves, not the other wat around.
He gave the inside away as a trade off for a better exit, knowing Ves would otherwise be right in his gearbox and strike the next corner with drs ..