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Austrian Grand Prix: Seven Things You May Have Missed

Recovered yet?!

Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix had it all: Tension. Intrigue. Controversy…and a very excited Toto on the team radio!

In amongst all the drama, a few things may have passed you by.

Here’s seven things you may have missed from the team’s victory in Spielberg.

Lewis Makes (Yet More!) History

Sir Lewis Hamilton.

Seven-time World Champion. Trailblazer. History maker.

He added to that final category in Austria. From just 343 events, Lewis became the first driver to score points in 300 Grands Prix weekends.

He did so by taking P6 in Saturday’s Sprint. He followed that up with a strong P4 in the Grand Prix.

First Corner Frustrations

The Sprint had been a frustrating 23 laps for Lewis.

He had the pace on the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. Unfortunately, with no tyre life offset, he was unable to make a move for P5.

Starting directly behind the Spaniard on Sunday, he knew an early move would be key to his Grand Prix.

As the lights went out, he went around the outside of Sainz to take the position at turn one. The move was soon being looked at by race control though.

With a particularly tight first corner in Austria, Lewis had been forced to go over the kerb and wide. With a possible 10-second penalty for the infringement, there was only one thing to do.

The team instructed him to give the place back. His afternoon was about to become even more difficult…

Overcoming Damage

Damage suffered on Friday compromised Lewis’s Sprint Qualifying.

The same was to happen in Sunday’s race.

As Shov explains: “Lewis ran over some gravel left on track by another car. That damaged the floor and left a big hole in the sidepod. That damage looked to be costing us at least a couple of tenths of a second.”

Did that cause him to throw in the white towel? Of course it didn’t! He fought valiantly and came home a creditable P4.

More valuable points in the Constructors’ Championship.

Very Special Guests

The red cap at the garage entrance. The star on our car. The spirit that runs through this team.

All reminders of Niki Lauda’s incredible legacy. We miss him every day. That is felt even more so at his home race in Austria.

It was fitting therefore that we had Niki’s family with us trackside at the weekend.

His wife Birgit, son Mathias, plus grandchildren and extended family were all in attendance.

They were of course part of our team photo too, smiling alongside Lewis.

The Boss!

Cast your mind back. 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix. George’s first F1 victory.

Lots of team members celebrating but one notable by their absence. That’s right. The Boss. Toto Wolff.

He passed his congratulations on to George via WhatsApp. Brazil being one of two races that year that he wasn’t trackside.

Not the case for George’s second F1 success though yesterday. Toto was right in the thick of it – even getting a little over exuberant on the radio as the victory came towards us.

Happily, it was all smiles afterwards!

An Interstellar Hug

We hope you caught yesterday’s pre-race national anthem?!

The legendary composer Hans Zimmer conducting and starring on the electric guitar. It was quite a sight.

He made his mark on the podium too. Marcus Dudley, George’s Senior Race Engineer, represented the team and collected the Constructors’ trophy.

He also collected a huge bear hug from the Oscar-winning musician!

A moment not to forget.

Hat-Trick Hero

How about this for a stat: George Russell becomes the second driver to have won in Spielberg in GP3, Formula 2, and F1.

The other? Charles Leclerc.

Solid company to keep GR. And a reminder of both the skill and speed our George has consistently displayed throughout his career.

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