F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE REACTION: Alonso on verge of return, Hamilton could face one-race BAN – latest updates – The Sun
VALTTERI BOTTAS claimed a dramatic opening of the season after an action-packed Grand Prix in Austria.
The Mercedes driver led from pole and held off the challenge from teammate Lewis Hamilton, who dramatically missed out on the podium after receiving a five-second penalty for a late clash with Red Bull's Alexander Albon.
- 1st Bottas 2nd LeClerc 3rd Norris 4th Hamilton
- Lewis Hamilton wore a Black Lives Matter t-shirt as six drivers choose not to take the knee.
- Hamilton given five-second penalty after clashing with Red Bull's Alexander Albon – demoting him from second to fourth.
- Verstappen eliminated after engine failure while Vettel crashed into Carlos Sainz, who will replace him at Ferrari in 2021.
Follow ALL of the latest updates here…
FERNANDO IS BACK
F1 legend Fernando Alonso has SIGNED on next season, according to the BBC.
Alonso is set to return to Renault, with whom he won two world championships, at the age of 39.
He is due to drive the Indy 500 with McLaren in August.
GIVEN SOME STICK
Mercedes engineer Andrew Shovlin has revealed what the problem was with the team’s gearbox at the weekend.
Shovlin said: “We were we were aware of it on Friday, when you saw that Valtteri had an issue at the end of one of the sessions
“So that that was the first sign that we had a problem.
“We've had recurrent issues over the course of Saturday. And going into the race, we were expecting it because it seems to be a feature of the model.
“So at the moment, if we build the car and run it, this problem will appear at some point. It's a question of how soon.”
DRIVER STANDINGS
Here is how the F1 stars rank after the first race of the season.
VETTELS FRESH AIR
Speaking on Monday evening to Servus TV, Sebastien Vettel revealed he had spent the day getting his head together in the local countryside.
“Since I spend the time between the races here, I took advantage of the sunshine,”
“I was on the mountain and cleared my head. It was good to be out in the fresh air today. Nobody was on the mountain, I was alone and had time for myself. That feels good in this situation.
“The speed was simply missing. We are still looking. There are maybe two or three things that were not quite ideal. The car was unrecognisable to the feeling I had on Friday. So all in all, it wasn't a good day for me.”
TUESDAY TRIVIA
Sunday was the first time Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari all shared the podium together. A positive message being enforced as they hold up a shirt saying 'END RACISM'. Lewis Hamilton has recently spoken on the the status of racism in sport even discussing his conversations with Colin Kaepernick who famously took the knee during the American National Anthem to protest against systemic racism.
A crazy piece of tuesdaytrivia! ?Sunday was the first time in @F1 history that Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari have shared the podium together pic.twitter.com/eA8XJUX3oK
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) July 7, 2020EXCLUSIVE: LANDO LEW'S HEIR
Trevor Carlin, who nurtured Norris's early career where he had a huge amount of success, has now backed the Brit to continue his climb to the top, writes BEN HUNT.
He said: “Lando is the obvious heir to Lewis' crown as the top British driver.
“When Lewis achieves everything he needs to achieve and steps down, Lando will be at the helm.
“He needs the correct package but McLaren have made incredible steps over the last few months and who's to say that they cannot be a force in 12 months time?
“He is doing everything right and the results are coming and I am very proud of him.”MISSING THE POINT
Lewis Hamilton is over halfway to picking up a driving ban after picking up more points on his F1 licence.
The world champion was slapped with four penalty points at the Austrian GP to take his total to seven for the 12 month period.
F1's rules state that any driver picking up 12 points in a year would be hit with a one-race ban.
Hamilton was slapped with two points on Saturday for ignoring waved yellow safety flags telling him to slow down.
He also picked up two more points in Sunday's race for clashing with Red Bull's Alex Albon.
GOOD MORNING FORMULA ONE FANS
Sebastian Vettel endured a nightmare start to the season in Austria on Sunday and Formula One's motorsport managing director Ross Brawn suggested being dropped by Ferrari for 2021 had affected his concentration.
Spaniard Sainz is also the man replacing the German at Maranello next year alongside Charles Leclerc, who finished a surprise second on Sunday despite Ferrari's performance problems.
Brawn, a former Ferrari technical director and ex-Mercedes team boss, said: “It was a difficult start to Sebastian's final season with the team.
“Everything must be swirling round in his head, after he found out Ferrari did not want to renew his services for next season.
“Sometimes, the things that put off a driver are quite subtle.
“Sebastian has appeared surprised and shocked by what has happened and it must be a distraction, understandably so.”
While Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he was “silenced” earlier in his Formula One career over his plans to protest racism by taking a knee.
The Mercedes driver was one of 14 who knelt before Sunday's season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.
Afterwards Hamilton spoke of a discussion he had years ago with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling protests in 2016 became a symbol of the fight against racial injustice.
The Brit said: “He sat down for the national anthem and got a lot of backlash … I thought that was a really powerful statement that he made and he lost his job.
“I had actually spoken to him a couple of years ago shortly after that for the US Grand Prix and I had a helmet and everything made in red with his number on the top.
“But back then I was kind of silenced, I was told to kind of back down, don't support it. Which I will say that I regret.”
HEAD IN A SPIN
Sebastian Vettel's head is in a spin according to former Ferrari boss, Ross Brawn.
He said: “It was a difficult start to Sebastian's final season with the team.
“Everything must be swirling round in his head, after he found out Ferrari did not want to renew his services for next season.
“Sometimes, the things that put off a driver are quite subtle. Sebastian has appeared surprised and shocked by what has happened and it must be a distraction, understandably so.”
POLE POSITION
Lando Norris, 20, became the third-youngest F1 driver to claim a podium when he finished third in Austria last Sunday.
Trevor Carlin, who nurtured Norris's early career where he had a huge amount of success, has now backed the Brit to continue his climb to the top.
Carlin first met Norris in 2014 and gave him a shot in 2015 in the MSA Formula 4 championship, which he won at the first attempt.
Back then, Carlin says Norris was only focused on racing – and nothing much has changed since.
He said: “He was great fun and at certain times he would like his own space and do and sit in a corner pull his hoodie up and play with his phone.
“The fact he is constantly driving a real car or a simulator means he doesn't have a lot of time to get in to trouble.
“His poor old mum. He would do a test day with us and go home about 8 o'clock at night after a long day.
“His mum would ask how his day had been because she wanted to see him, but Lando would grab his dinner and go and sit on his sim and go racing again online!”
Norris was born in Bristol but grew up with his family near Glastonbury.
The non-drinking racing nut has never been to the town's famous music festival but Carlin might now try and tap him up for some tickets.
He said: “When he is a little bit older and even more famous, I might have to ask him for some tickets.”
LEW BEAUTY
Lewis Hamilton was catapulted into stardom when he made his F1 bow in 2007 also at McLaren before winning the title the following season.
Hamilton now has six championships under his belt, although his private life and high profile relationships have also drawn criticism.
However, Trevor Carlin says he doesn't believe the playboy lifestyle that trapped Hamilton and Jenson Button will not appeal to Norris.
He added: “Will he change from a lifestyle point of view? Absolutely not. He is not that sort of guy.
“A great example is Sebastian Vettel because he was racing with us in 2006 and 2007.
“I saw him at Hockenheim two years ago when his younger brother was doing an Audi support race and Seb was doing his brother's pit board.
“I went over and asked him how he was doing and I said, 'hey Seb, mind if I tell you something?' He said 'what?'
“I said 'you have never changed'. Now, it has been years since he drove for me and is a four time world champion and has all the money in the world.
“He just looked at me and replied 'why would I need to?' and I see Lando being exactly the same.
“Lando is the nicest person you could ever meet. I am chuffed to bits for him.
“He is not flash or big headed. He basically always delivers. It is as simple as that.”
EXCLUSIVE
SunSport's Ben Hunt writes: “Lando Norris is the heir to Lewis Hamilton's throne when the world champion finally decides to hang up his helmet.
Norris, 20, became the third-youngest F1 driver to claim a podium when he finished third in Austria last Sunday.
Trevor Carlin, who nurtured Norris's early career where he had a huge amount of success, has now backed the Brit to continue his climb to the top.
He said: “Lando is the obvious heir to Lewis' crown as the top British driver.
“When Lewis achieves everything he needs to achieve and steps down, Lando will be at the helm.
“He needs the correct package but McLaren have made incredible steps over the last few months and who's to say that they cannot be a force in 12 months time?
“He is doing everything right and the results are coming and I am very proud of him.”
'REGRET'
Lewis Hamiltonhas spoken of his “regret” that he was unable to show his support for Colin Kaepernick at the 2017 United States Grand Prix.
He said: “There has been awareness on the subject over the last few weeks and we don't need it to die a silent death and see no change.
“I can be the guinea pig and keep speaking out. All of us, myself included, we have to be accountable.
“This started with NFL player Colin Kaepernick. He sat down for the US national anthem. He sat down and received a backlash…
“I spoke to him before the [2017] US Grand Prix and I had a helmet made in red with his number on the top.
“But I was silenced and told to back down. I supported that decision which I regret.
“So it was important for me to make sure I played my part this time and, moving forward, whether there is going to be an opportunity to take the knee, I don't know.”
FAST TWITCH
Lando Norris became the third youngest driver to reach the F1 podium over the weekend in the Austrian Grand Prix.
The sport returned after a long absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A number of drivers took part in virtual Grand Prix's and were busy online.
Norris joked how he had gone from being a full-time Twitch streamer to having success on the track in just a few days.
F1 CALENDAR
After last weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, here are the events coming up in the F1 calendar.
VETT'S IN SHOCK
Sebastian Vettel endured a nightmare start to the season in Austria on Sunday and Formula One's motorsport managing director Ross Brawn suggested being dropped by Ferrari for 2021 had affected his concentration.
Spaniard Sainz is also the man replacing the German at Maranello next year alongside Charles Leclerc, who finished a surprise second on Sunday despite Ferrari's performance problems.
Brawn, a former Ferrari technical director and ex-Mercedes team boss, said: “It was a difficult start to Sebastian's final season with the team.
“Everything must be swirling round in his head, after he found out Ferrari did not want to renew his services for next season.
“Sometimes, the things that put off a driver are quite subtle.
“Sebastian has appeared surprised and shocked by what has happened and it must be a distraction, understandably so.”
MORE ON ALONSO
Ocon, who would be Alonso's teammate should he join, said he would welcome the two-time world champion, reports BEN HUNT.
He said: “I have a great relationship with Fernando. The helmet I have and the only swap I did in between the drivers was with him.
“He was the one with Michael [Schumacher], his fights back in the day, that gave me the love for the sport.
“I don't know if he's going to join or not with us, but definitely if he could come back, I would be very happy.”
Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, plus former Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg, have also been linked with a seat to replace McLaren-bound Daniel Ricciardo.
THE 'LON WAY BACK
Fernando Alonso could be set for a sensational return to Formula One with Renault.
Paddock sources in Austra say Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul has told the team's senior staff he is poised to make an announcement on his driver line-up for 2021.
The Frenchman also added that many of his staff have previously worked with the driver, who is expected to partner Esteban Ocon.
Alonso drove for Renault for six seasons between 2003 and 2009, winning the title with them in 2005 and 2005.
The 38-year-old has been out of F1 since he quit McLaren at the end of 2018 but has never ruled out a return.
The Spaniard is currently preparing for the IndyCar season in a crack at winning the Indy 500 to complete the Triple Crown, having already won the Monaco F1 GP and the Le Mans 24 hours.
HAM: I WAS SILENCED
Six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he was “silenced” earlier in his Formula One career over his plans to protest racism by taking a knee.
The Mercedes driver was one of 14 who knelt before Sunday's season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.
Afterwards Hamilton spoke of a discussion he had years ago with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling protests in 2016 became a symbol of the fight against racial injustice.
The Brit said: “He sat down for the national anthem and got a lot of backlash … I thought that was a really powerful statement that he made and he lost his job.
“I had actually spoken to him a couple of years ago shortly after that for the US Grand Prix and I had a helmet and everything made in red with his number on the top.
“But back then I was kind of silenced, I was told to kind of back down, don't support it. Which I will say that I regret.”
FLAMIN' HECK
Giuliano Alesi had to throw in the towel after his car went up in flames at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old, son of F1 legend Jean Alesi, was racing in the Formula Two championship.
But his afternoon took a turn for the worse during Sunday’s sprint race.
Huge flames began to pour out the back of his pink BWT HTA Racelab car.
The Frenchman was forced to pull over and ditch the car as soon as possible, climbing out unscathed.
Speaking on Instagram on Sunday evening, he wrote: “What a rollercoaster of a weekend!
WILLIAMS
(Nicholas Latifi 11, George Russell retired)
Russell triggered the second safety car when he pulled over with a loss of fuel pressure on lap 49. Latifi, this year's sole rookie, started 20th and was the last finisher on track.
RED BULL
(Alexander Albon 13, Max Verstappen retired)
Verstappen, winner for the past two years, started on the front row but was the first retirement with anti-stall problems.
Albon and Hamilton collided, an incident the Thai said had denied him a first podium and possible win.
RENAULT
(Esteban Ocon 8, Daniel Ricciardo retired)
Ocon returned to racing after a wait of 588 days, starting 14th but showing good race pace.
Ricciardo retired as a precaution after a cooling issue.
ALFA ROMEO
(Antonio Giovinazzi 9, Kimi Raikkonen retired)
Raikkonen's car shed its front right wheel after a pitstop.
The team were fined 5,000 euros for an unsafe release that led to the third safety car period. Giovinazzi started 18th.
ALPHA TAURI
(Pierre Gasly 7, Daniil Kvyat 12)
Gasly had some good fights and was happy with his result.
Kvyat missed out on some good points after he made contact with Renault's Ocon, breaking the front wing and suspension. He retired but was classified.
RACING POINT
(Sergio Perez 6, Lance Stroll retired)
Perez started sixth, was third for a while but lost out after a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
On a one stop strategy, he could not defend against Leclerc and Norris. Stroll lost power early on and retired.
FERRARI
(Charles Leclerc 2, Sebastian Vettel 10)
Leclerc started seventh with Ferrari struggling but battled back, helped by three safety car periods, to take what was as good as a victory.
Vettel tangled with Sainz, spinning, and then had to fight back to the final points.
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