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Verstappen/Norris clash gifts Russell shock win

NEWS STORY
30/06/2024

For the third successive race, we have a front row occupied by Max Verstappen and Lando Norris - four if you count yesterday's Sprint - and it will be interesting to see if either has learned from past experience.

Breathing down their hot little necks on the short, uphill climb to Turn 1 will be Russell, Sainz, Hamilton and Leclerc, not to mention Piastri and Perez.

While McLaren's protest of the Australian's lap time being deleted was rejected - for reasons that nobody can really understand - his pace this weekend suggests that he will soon be up there in the mix.

Other than who leads out of Turn 1, then Turns 3 and 4, the big question is who will take the fight to Red Bull today other than McLaren. Mercedes looks strong while Ferrari has looked off the boil ever since Monaco.

Though no fans of the Sprint, yesterday's mini-me race gave us good insight as to what to expect, and it is likely that a number of drivers have been watching reruns overnight.

Referring to the mysterious email sent to Mercedes about Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff referred to "conspiracy theorists and lunatics". Well, though we're not sure about the lunacy angle, we must admit to enjoying the odd conspiracy theory, and therefore have to confess to have found Red Bull's recent performances a bit of a surprise in terms of how suddenly they appear to have been reeled in. Of course, other than the Austrian team and its star driver, nobody benefits from the sort of domination witnessed throughout 2023 or the opening races of this season, and with so much at stake, would it be beyond the likes of, say, Turk Thrust's infamous Formula One Script Unit, to come up with a story whereby the favourites temporarily falter in a bad to bring the title fights alive?

Anyway, we digress.

Other than the battle up front, today represents an opportunity for Ricciardo to save his seat at RB, while a number of other drivers really need to step up a gear if they are to find themselves on the grid again next year.

While Perez has a contract, Christian Horner has made clear that more is expected of him, and starting from eighth today surely isn't what the Red Bull boss had in mind.

Last year's race was marred - and then some - by the track limits issue, and despite the FIA's efforts this continues to be a problem... just ask Oscar. Hopefully today's race will not suffer a similar fate and we will not see any post-race penalties.

Yesterday's high temperatures gave the teams the opportunity to try the mediums, thereby providing vital information regarding strategy. According to Pirelli's calculations, two pit stops will be required, with a mix of mediums and hards.

A one-stop is not a realistic choice, not because of tyre wear, but in terms of degradation and pace, although a three-stop could work if there is a Safety Car in the latter stages of the race, or if degradation is higher than expected. In this case, even the softs could come into play, albeit not in a major way."

The pitlane opens and Hulkenberg leads the way, followed by Perez, Hamilton, Bottas and Zhou. Behind the Chinese driver, who will start from the pitlane after changes were made to his car overnight, is Verstappen, who gets a huge roar from the crowd.

"Can you check the steering rack, it doesn't feel right," reports Russell after running wide in Turn 3.

Air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 47 degrees, similar to yesterday.

The anticipated thunderstorm will be arriving... but not until 20:00, so unless we have some serious stoppages... That said, Race Control claims a 10% chance of rain.

Russell is told of a 40 km/h gust into Turn 3, which might explain his off.

All are starting on mediums, bar Zhou, who is on hards, while only Alonso and Stroll are on used rubber.

They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.

As he leads the field around the track, Verstappen is roared on by the crowd.

As they arrive on the grid, Norris is right up Verstappen's exhaust.

The grid forms.

They're away! Max leads as they head up the hill towards Turn 1. Norris has the inside line as Russell attempts to go around the outside, and while Sainz is inside Hamilton, Leclerc is the meat in a sandwich comprising Perez (on the inside) and Piastri (on the outside).

As we know from experience, three into one won't go, and the nose of the Ferrari hits the rear of the McLaren

Hamilton, Piastri and one of the RBs all run a little wides as the begin the long run to Turn 3.

With Verstappen clear, Norris is under attack from Russell, while, heading into Turn 3, Sainz is on the inside of Hamilton and behind Perez is on the inside of Piastri.

Heading towards Turn 4, Perez and Piastri are side-by-side, the Australian running wide as they round the corner.

The opening few corners are as feisty as we expected.

At the end of Lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Ocon, Hulkenberg and Magnussen. Leclerc pits for a new front wing as Sargeant also pits. The Monegasque rejoins in 19th.

Hamilton dives down the inside of Russell at Turn 3 to claim third but with the benefit of DRS the youngster immediately retakes the position.

Hamilton and Sainz have both been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

In eighth, Hulkenberg has dropped 1.5s behind Piastri as a DRS train begins to form behind the Haas driver.

On Lap 6, Sainz passes Hamilton in Turn 1 for fourth. The Briton hangs on to the rear of the Ferrari, while Piastri goes around the outside of Perez to take 6th.

A number of drivers, including Norris and Perez, are complaining of understeer.

After 8 laps, Verstappen leads Norris by 3.2s with Russell a further 2.6s behind.

It is revealed that Hamilton allowed Sainz to pass having gained the position by leaving the track.

Magnussen and Ricciardo both pit at the end of Lap 10, rejoining in 17th (Magnussen) and 18th, 4.4s ahead of Leclerc.

"Rears are graining a bit," reports Hamilton as Hulkenberg and Alonso pit.

Hulkenberg rejoins in 15th and immediately embroiled in a battle with his feisty teammate.

Albon pits at the end of Lap 12, As Verstappen extends his lead to 5s.

Leclerc passes Albon for 18th.

Perez is told that sidepod damage has changed the aero balance.

Oh dear, Leclerc is passed by Albon as the Ferrari appears to have more damage than first thought.

Magnussen is told to manage his tyres in what is actually an attempt to calm him down. The Dane isn't happy.

Given a similar message, Hulkenberg replies: "We need to do it together then," referring to his teammate.

Out front, Verstappen and Norris are lapping around 0.5s a lap quicker than anyone else.

Check out our Sunday gallery from the Red Bull Ring here.

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READERS COMMENTS

 

1. Posted by kenji, 05/07/2024 2:03

"@Ricardo-Sanchez....well that ep was a bit funny but sadly lacking the comedy expertise exhibited in Blackadder, Yes, Minister and Alan B'stard to name but a few. No one has ever done better than the Brits when it comes to comedy. When it was bad it was totally forgetable but when it was good it was pure gold, sadly lost in these woke times."

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2. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 03/07/2024 13:56

"@kenji - Coogan’s Partridge character is still going strong. The writers have never since quite reached the levels of that particular episode but the material is still pretty good."

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3. Posted by kenji, 03/07/2024 11:33

"@ED...Congrats...it worked. Great humour from the days of great British humour. Long gone. Sad really. "

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4. Posted by Editor, 02/07/2024 12:02

"Despite having this site since 2002, I still don't know how to post direct links here, but here goes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l76u8Z5Ic2U
"

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5. Posted by kenji, 02/07/2024 11:57

"@Ed...sorry to double dip but I forgot to mention that next Sunday it will be 64years since I last attended the British GP at Silverstone. Guess who took home the magnificent silver....none other than 'Black Jack' himself. Not bad for an ex RAAF flight bolt who gained his primary knowledge at a Tech College. He was not a product of Academia. Those were the days of the garagiste et al."

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6. Posted by kenji, 02/07/2024 11:46

"@ED.... Thank you for the heads up.I shall now delve a bit deeper into the "mentalist' reference with some 'hot reading'. "

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7. Posted by Editor, 02/07/2024 10:30

"@ Kenji

"Mentalist" was a term used by the Alan Partridge character in reference to his strange host."

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8. Posted by kenji, 02/07/2024 10:18

"@Ed, Wow!...and double ' Wow'. Two mentions in the one thread. FYI my office cum retreat is rather sp**** in fact, although suitably adorned with some decent art , said in all humility, of my own creation. That being the case there's hardly any room for those /creatures of your imagination. I should remind you at this stage that your compilation of notable 'colonial' top drawer race drivers is lacking one rather important name? Why have you left Mark Webber off your list? Was it a temporary lapse of recollection or don't you think him worthwhile? That leads me into 'Wow2'.

Your latter post is just so 50's/60's in context. Times have changed and your stereotype is now extinct to all intents and purposes...especially where I am domiciled. Regret to report that there are no 'tinnies' lying around but I will fess up to owning a rather large pot of 'Mite' that resides in one of the double French doors! Nothing to be shamed about there as it is mans tucker unlike the wannabe limp wristed Marmite. As for the 'mentalist' jab, I will take that one on notice and revert when I have a lucid moment or two. Finally, in keeping with the nationalist vibe I shoud remind you that Bulldog Drummond was only ever a fictitious character and John Bull was correctly depicted as an overweight caricature of the nation at large. May Oscar and Daniel continue to dog the 'Limeys' at every step of the F1 way. Yours in light hearted retribution...."

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9. Posted by Editor, 01/07/2024 12:15

"Ricardo_sanchez

"He's a mentalist"

Wonder if he has a refrigerator filled with Fosters and another with Vegemite, not to mention one of theose hats with corks hanging from the side."

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10. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 01/07/2024 11:50

"@Editor - that episode of Partridge is the best. “Jed, I’ll level with you, I’m really scared”. Comedy genius. "

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11. Posted by Spindoctor, 01/07/2024 6:57

"It was good to see something like a genuine head to head race at last, though it seems that RBR still has the fastest car when driven by VMax. VMax continued his traditional monologue about how the car, the tyres, etc. were s**t. Red Bull must be kicking themselves for frittering away a huge lead and allowing Lando to get on terms.

The truly pivotal moment was *that* collision.
I've long held the fairly unfashionable view that VMax's Achilles heel is that he tends to become a bit "erratic" under sustained pressure, his driving crossing the line between forceful & overly aggressive. That flaw re-appeared yesterday. Having serenely led about 95% of laps this season with hardly a sniff of a biff, we saw the VMax of old, determined to stay ahead at any price, or at least to prevent the other guy from winning.

I'm hoping the validity of this theory will be tested regularly now that McLaren has a good car & two very good drivers who should be able to apply a bit of pressure in the coming races.

Both of Ferrari's drivers for 2026 had poor races, but Russell drove competently in the outclassed Mercedes & Sainz proved that he's still a very fast driver. Piastri showed his class too. There were lots of fun & games throughout the field to prevent us getting too bored during the more processional parts of the race at the front, though the Channel4 commentator was irritatingly over-enthusiastic about most of this.

I'm certainly looking forward to Silverstone & hoping that McLaren can sustain the pressure on RBR, that Mercedes will be quick & that Ferrari regain some of the speed they had previously....."

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12. Posted by Editor, 01/07/2024 6:08

"Anyone else remember the episode of Alan Partridge where he's in the house of a deranged fan who has a room containing all sorts of weird memorabilia relating to 'the man'.

What's the betting Kenji has a room with pictures, mannequins and giant papier mache heads of Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Daniel and Oscar, not to mention dartboards with images of Toto, Lando and Lewis."

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13. Posted by kenji, 01/07/2024 1:47

"A highly entertaining race. The beginning was great and so was the last fifteen laps...it was the middle that let the show down. The result between Max and Norris was always a possibility and unfortunately Red Bull invited the action by losing a lead of 6/7 secs to Norris in the final pit stop. There were some excellent skirmishes throughout the field and some great passing moves....especially those of Piastri. I'm of two minds as to whether Verstappen was the baddie in the end. Norris tried some dodgy moves and I would've given a 50/50 verdict despite the visuals and somewhat coloured comments from Anthony Davidson with the Skypad. Russel was fortunate but he did drive well and was on the spot to pick up the pieces when they were made available.. He's certainly doing the business for Mercedes ATM. Honorable mentions I believe are warranted for Hulkenberg and Ricciardo, the latter who dragged everything there was from RB and then some. There's life in the old dog even now!!. Roll on Silverstone and the continuation of the Red Bull/McLaren battle. I just want Piastri in the mix from the exact moment the lights go out next time."

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14. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 30/06/2024 16:29

"An entertaining race but a clean battle in those last few laps would have been a better (and fairer) outcome. "

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15. Posted by KKK, 30/06/2024 15:52

"We finally had a race ! Albeith the stewards were dishing out petty penalties. Its like VAR, ruining the sport."

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