2014 Austrian Grand Prix: Rosberg is the new lord of the Ring

By William Herrera June 24,2014

The A1 Ring, now known as the Red Bull Ring, in Austria had been removed from the Grand Prix calendar for 11 years. It has featured prominently in the annals of Formula 1. The infamous staged finish of 2002, when Michael Schumacher “won” after Rubens Barrichello let him pass on the last corner on the last lap quickly comes to mind.

 

Fast forward to 2014, and a new team is lording it over the ring in Austria. The Williams-Martini Racing FW 36 of Felipe Massa was the surprise pole sitter, and alongside him, Valtteri Bottas in the sister WilliamsF1 challenger. Nico Rosberg took 3rd but his Mercedes teammate didn’t fare too well. Lewis will start from 9th place due to a spin in qualifying. Fan favorite Fernando Alonso took 4th in his Ferrari while Daniel Ricciardo in the RB10 slotted up behind the Spaniard. Meanwhile, four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who seemed to have inherited the bad luck of former teammate Mark Webber, found himself starting in 12th.

 

As the lights went out to start the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix, it was Rosberg who immediately got ahead of Bottas into turn 1, but Lewis made the best start for any driver this year, by leaping five cars by the end of the first lap. He made overtaking his rivals seem look so effortless, as if they were just letting him drive past.

 

Sebastian Vettel also had a good start, but the gremlins of the RB10 again reared their ugly heads. On lap 2, Sebastian lost drive due to an electronics issue and had to crawl to the side of the track. He was then able to regain drive and rejoined the race a lap down. Sebastian, ever the racer, tried to climb up the standings but was eventually forced into retirement on lap 36. This is the third time Sebastian has failed to finish a race this season, and he has not led even a single lap in 2014.

 

The race for 1st place was going to be won by the driver who could best manage his tires. The Pirellis were having graining issues and looking after them would be paramount.

 

Nico Rosberg was the first of the front runners to pit for a change of tires on Lap 12, with Lewis coming in on lap 13, while Massa and Bottas stayed out. Felipe pitted on lap 14, only to come out behind Rosberg, but stayed ahead of Lewis. Unfortunately for Massa, Hamilton had other plans and outbraked him in turn 2 to get position.

 

Bottas took on tires a lap after and even registered the fasted pit stop at 2.1 seconds. This fast turnaround made sure he came out ahead of Hamilton and just behind Rosberg. The FW36 kept Lewis at bay until Williams brought the car in for Bottas’ second pit stop. Lewis then did what he does well, and set the fastest lap. With that, he jumped Bottas for 2nd.

 

Lewis now had his sights set on Nico and with a few laps to go, the two drivers made the race interesting by dicing and fighting for the lead, but eventually maintained their position.

 

Rosberg crossed the line ahead of Hamilton, with Bottas coming in at 3rd. Nico now has won three races with Lewis winning another four of the eight races so far. Rosberg increased his lead in the standings by 29 points over his nearest rival, Hamilton.

 

The news of the day is Valtteri Bottas taking his and the team’s, maiden podium for 2014, by  finishing in 3rd behind both Mercedes.

 

Will Mercedes run away with all the trophies or can any other team bring the fight to Mercedes’ doorstep and derail their assault on both the drivers and constructors championship?

 

Find out the answers as Formula One now shifts to Silverstone, the birthplace of F1, for the 2014 British GP on July 4-6.

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