(Spielberg) Monegasque Charles Leclerc won a third event this season, beating Dutchman Max Verstappen at the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.
Posted at 10:39
Starting from second after being beaten by Verstappen in the sprint race on Saturday, Leclerc showed better pace throughout the race on Sunday.
Leclerc reported trouble with the accelerator pedal late in the race.
” Yes ! Come on, exclaimed Leclerc via the radio system after crossing the finish line. I was afraid. I was very afraid. Yes ! »
He finally reached the finish with a lead of 1.532 seconds over Verstappen after 71 laps.
“I needed this victory. The last five races have been very difficult, said Leclerc. At the end, it was very difficult, I had this problem with the accelerator. »
PHOTO ERWIN SCHERIAU, FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY
Charles Leclerc
Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz looked set to edge Verstappen into second with around 15 laps to go when his engine gave up on him. Sainz brought his car to a stop at the edge of a gravel pit as the flames spread rapidly.
The retirement of Sainz allowed Lewis Hamilton to climb on the third step of the podium. He finished ahead of his teammate at Mercedes, George Russell.
Red Bull’s Verstappen still tops the drivers’ standings with 208 points. His teammate Sergio Perez gave up second place to Leclerc after he was forced to retire, the result of problems resulting from contact with Russell on the first lap.
Halfway through the schedule, Leclerc is 38 points behind Verstappen in the drivers standings.
Quebec driver Lance Stroll of Aston Martin finished in 13e square. Toronto’s Nicholas Latifi of Williams was unable to make it to the finish.
The F1 circus will now head to Le Castellet for the French Grand Prix, July 22-24.