Max Verstappen got here as shut as ever to his first win of the season in Austria. The Crimson Bull driver, having began fifth in Spielberg, emerged as George Russell’s primary pursuer throughout the Method 1 Austrian Grand Prix and completed simply over 1.6s behind.
Crimson Bull introduced a serious improve to Austria in an try to shut the hole to Mercedes and Ferrari, the 2 groups that appeared to have held the benefit in latest races. Whereas the bundle evidently delivered the specified step in efficiency, Toto Wolff nonetheless believes it was primarily Verstappen who put Crimson Bull in rivalry for victory in Spielberg.
“I am not stunned in any respect,” Wolff mentioned, when requested after the race whether or not he was stunned to see Crimson Bull as the primary challenger as an alternative of Ferrari.
“Crimson Bull is one factor, nevertheless it was Max Verstappen. For me, the way it feels is like Max gained each single race right here that he is ever participated in, in no matter automotive. Spielberg is one in every of his sturdy locations.
“The automotive appears to have been going effectively and the Ferraris, I do not know what occurred to them.”
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Verstappen has certainly gained 5 Method 1 races on the Crimson Bull Ring, together with each the Styrian and Austrian Grands Prix in 2021.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photograph by: Anni Graf – Method 1 by way of Getty Pictures
Wolff, nevertheless, didn’t purchase into the suggestion that Verstappen ought to now be seen as a championship risk. Requested whether or not he now thought-about the Dutchman an element within the title battle – or no less than somebody who might take factors away from the championship contenders – the Austrian responded with a joke.
“I believe this might be a George Russell thought,” he mentioned, suggesting that was studying an excessive amount of into the scenario. “[It’s an] over-complication.
“Max is at all times good for enjoying a job within the championship.
“That [Red Bull] automotive carried out effectively this weekend. I believe the largest issue this weekend was Max, to be sincere. He is in a position to carry out every thing that’s in that automotive. You may see that together with his team-mates.
“That is why you’ll be able to by no means low cost or underestimate the Verstappen issue for a championship.”
After Austria, it’s nonetheless Mercedes’ different driver, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship. The Italian, who completed third, is now 40 factors forward of Russell, with Lewis Hamilton dropping to 3rd, an extra six factors behind.
Verstappen, in the meantime, scored solely his second podium end this 12 months, now sits seventh within the standings, 98 factors behind Antonelli.
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