Credit: Daimler AG

It might not have had the chaotic excitement of the Baku race, but the Austrian Grand Prix held some moments of interest. The start of the race saw Bottas investigated for a potential jump start – he was found not to have done that, but it was mightily close on the replays. Daniil Kvyat got a great start, surging forward, but he forgot to stop at the first corner and bashed into the side of Fernando Alonso, who in turn took out Max Verstappen, the latter two retiring from the race.

Bottas led the way from pole and was unhurried until the final few laps where Sebastian Vettel started hunting him for the win. They crossed the line about half a second apart. Daniel Ricciardo was third, picking up that final podium place after having his own defensive fight with Lewis Hamilton. Elsewhere, Romain Grosjean had a quiet but solid race to finish sixth, whilst the rest of the top ten was taken up by both Force India and both Williams drivers.

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Credit: Daimler AG

The first session of qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix saw disappointment for the Williams team, as both their drivers dropped out early and not only that, they were behind Jolyon Palmer. Kevin Magnussen qualified his Haas into Q2 but also damaged the suspension and had to retire to the pits so was unable to participate in that second session.

Both the McLarens were into Q2, with Daniil Kvyat behind them and Nico Hülkenberg qualifying 11th. Up into the top ten, Hamilton was making some scrappy runs as was Max Verstappen. Valtteri Bottas secured provisional pole with Vettel behind and Hamilton third – the Brit knowing he has a five place gearbox related grid penalty hanging over his head.

As they prepared for the last few minutes and the final flying laps, the Haas of Romain Grosjean stopped out on track bringing out yellow flags and effectively ending the fight. He qualified 7th with two Force Indias and a Toro Rosso behind him. Bottas took pole with Hamilton third on track, but eighth on the grid.

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Credit: Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix

It was a scrappy day of practice as drivers got back to work preparing for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend. Lewis Hamilton led both practice sessions and Valtteri Bottas was third in both. During the morning session, they were split by Max Verstappen – who had a couple of spins through the gravel and brushed the wall at one point. In second practice, it was Vettel who came between the two Mercedes drivers.

Elsewhere in FP1, Sirotkin was in at Renault and Celis in at Force India. Romain Grosjean hit the kerbs a couple of times and picked up a puncture in his Haas, whilst Honda finished with both their drivers inside the top ten – quite the feat, I’m sure you’ll agree.

For FP2, Alonso was kept in the garage for much of the session whilst the floor on his McLaren was changed. Daniil Kvyat also missed out on running after a brake fire on his Toro Rosso had to be hastily extinguished. Mercedes set the benchmark, Ferrari are still close behind and Red Bull appear to have kept their improved pace from the last few weeks.

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