Austria: post-race analysis 2022
Not the first time I’ve backed Sainz/Perez to finish top 2 this year, and on this occasion both aspects were subject to horrendous luck. My judgement, on at least one part, was sound, which is a small consolation.
Off the line it was as you were and Perez soon got alongside and ahead of Russell. The Briton was clumsy and clonked the Mexican’s rear, ruining his bodywork, punting him into the gravel, necessitating an early pit stop, and causing sufficient loss of pace that Perez ultimately had to retire. For this, Russell got a 5s time penalty.
Verstappen kept the lead but tyre degradation meant the Ferraris reeled him and passed with ease, and even when they emerged behind after first one and then two pit stops the Prancing Horse was simply faster than the Red Bull and passed with little difficulty. Except that Sainz’s engine blew up right as he was about to pass Verstappen, allowing the Dutchman to be behind only Leclerc.
The Spaniard did his best to park well but his engine was dead and then burst into flames while his car rolled back onto the track. A VSC emerged, and the top two pitted for medium tyres to match (distant) third-placed Hamilton. Russell, incidentally, was in 4th.
But there was a sting in the tail. Leclerc also had a reliability failure with his throttle not working properly. Verstappen started gnawing into his 3.5s lead and taking huge chunks out of it. One more lap and the Dutchman might have had him. But Leclerc finally had a slice of good luck, his car held, and he claimed a rather fraught victory. Rotten luck for Sainz who was otherwise nailed on for 2nd (and a green bet, but that’s the way it goes).
Hamilton inherited 3rd with the Sainz/Perez woe but he was fast all race and deserved it. Russell was lucky not to receive more damage when he clumsy slid into Perez, something that Gasly did late on to Vettel.
Ocon got 5th, and Alonso rose from the last row to 10th, with a late overtake on Bottas (final lap, I think). Schumacher’s been good all weekend and scored points for the second (real) race in a row, with Magnussen 8th making it splendid for Haas. Norris and Ricciardo were 7th and 9th, and the Aussie may be relieved after his pace last time was nowhere.
In addition to Perez and Sainz, Latifi failed to finish due to some manner of engine woe.
So, the bet was red but it was pretty bloody unlucky, Sainz’s
engine dying with just a few laps to go. Would Perez have been in the mix
without Russell’s shunt? Maybe. The Ferrari was faster but both had engine woe
and the VSC timing could’ve put the Mexican into play. Still, that’s how things
go, sometimes luck’s kind, sometimes not.
Verstappen extends his title lead because even with a DNF
Perez is his closest challenger.
Ver 189, Per 151, Lec 145, Sai 133 (according to the official website, assuming it’s up to date). But Leclerc is a little closer than he was.
In a fortnight, we’re off to France for a boring circuit,
but the closer racing this season may threaten that cherished status.
Morris Dancer
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