Following a 2020 Formula 1 season-opening weekend at the Red Bull Ring that saw him penalized twice and stripped of a podium finish, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton rebounded at the same venue with a dominant Styrian Grand Prix victory, the 85th win of his career.
The six-time world champion now trails seven-time champion Michael Schumacher by six victories for the all-time record.
Red Bull’s Alexander Albon finished in fourth place, tying his career-best result, after he was spun out of a potential win by Hamilton late in last week’s race in a battle for second.
For the second week in a row, McLaren’s Lando Norris had a sensational final lap, going from seventh to fifth place. Behind him, it was a three-wide finish, featuring Racing Point teammates Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll as well as Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo.
McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr., who recorded the race’s fastest lap with a new track record, finished in ninth place. AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat rounded out the top 10 in 10th.
The race featured two lead changes, both of which took place due to pit stops. Hamilton led 64 laps while Bottas led the other seven by making his pit stop seven laps later than his teammate.
The race featured one safety car period, which began on the opening lap when Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided in turn three. The only other driver who failed to finish the race was Renault’s Esteban Ocon. Of the 17 drivers who finished, eight finished on the lead lap.
Race Results
1st – Lewis Hamilton
2nd – Valtteri Bottas
3rd – Max Verstappen
4th – Alexander Albon
5th – Lando Norris
6th – Sergio Perez
7th – Lance Stroll
8th – Daniel Ricciardo
9th – Carlos Sainz Jr.
10th – Daniil Kvyat
11th – Kimi Raikkonen
12th – Kevin Magnussen
13th – Romain Grosjean
14th – Antonio Giovinazzi
15th – Pierre Gasly
16th – George Russell
17th – Nicholas Latifi
18th – Esteban Ocon
19th – Charles Leclerc
20th – Sebastian Vettel
Source: Beyondtheflag Image: San Diego Tribune