There's a New Number 1 Team in Town

 

If last night's race was an indication of anything, it was that we have a new number 1 team at the top of Formula 1. And it is not Mercedes. 

A race that was dominated by the Red Bulls on their home turf saw Max Verstappen win with ease at the Red Bull Ring with the Mercedes duo of Hamilton and Bottas taking up the rest of the podium positions. Perez finished 4th thanks to a poor pitstop by the Red Bull crew with Lando Norris an impressive 5th place. He truly has been the best of the rest this season. We're used to seeing Pierre Gasly in 6th however he suffered suspension damage after coming into contact with Charles Leclerc on the opening lap meaning he was out of the race. Speaking of the Monegasque, he finished 7th right behind his teammate leading to a good haul of points for the prancing red horses as their battle with McLaren for 3rd becomes even more intense. A brilliant drive by the trio of Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda saw them wrap up the rest of the points finishes. Unfortunately, Raikonnen, Vettel, Ricciardo and Ocon all seemed to fall away throughout the course of the race and weren't able to bag any points this weekend. 

There will always be winners and losers in an F1 grand prix. However this weekend you had to feel for George Russell. Mr. Saturday showed his skill once again as he nearly made it to Q3, only 0.008 seconds off P10. Nonetheless, with a flawless start he was cruising in 8th place till a pneumatic issue meant that he had to retire from what would have been his first points finish in Formula 1. The rumours are increasing about his move to Mercedes for the 2022 season however with a fine drive by Bottas from 5th to 3rd, the Flying Finn will hope to keep those rumours under the covers. 

Russell wasn't the only one to have bad luck though. On the very first lap of the race Pierre Gasly got hit by the front wing of Charles Leclerc's car giving him a puncture. That was only exacerbated further as his suspension on the right rear tyre completely shattered meaning the punctured tyre could not even be replaced. A first lap DNF is incredibly tough to take on the chin but we all know the Frenchman will be back stronger than ever next week as he has shown throughout the season with his brilliant pace. 

Looking back to the Grand Prix, it was truly quite boring without many overtakes and spicy moments so to say but the midfield battle was intense throughout. Lines of cars all having DRS down 3 long straights but all not fully able to capitalise on the pace advantage meant that looks and glances were the order of the day. 

As we move to the Austrian Grand Prix in 6 days time at the same venue, it will probably be a similar result if not better for Red Bull who will look to increase their gap out in front both in the drivers and constructors championships. Toto Wolff in a post race interview was clear in saying that for the first time in 8 years they are actually not the fastest team. Red Bull have been bringing upgrade after upgrade and Mercedes have shifted their resources to preparing for the 2022 season which will see a dramatic change in the rules as all cars will be radically different both externally and internally. A big decision will have to be made by the team boss as to whether more time should be devoted to winning this season or starting the next stage of F1 like they started the turbo hybrid era with such incredible dominance. 

Only time will tell how everything unfolds. But we really do not have much time till the next race. 6 days away and the intensity only gets higher and higher. The Red Bull Ring will be host once again to an F1 Grand Prix and whether or not the result will change - I highly doubt it.