Three things we learned from the Austrian Grand Prix

Sport360 staff 14:57 05/07/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Champions of the Austrian Grand Prix.

    MERCEDES TRENDS

    It could be argued that Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton should not have been sharing the same piece of tarmac.

    Mercedes split their strategies, with Rosberg, who started sixth, pitting for the first time on lap 10. Hamilton waited 11 more laps before he got rid of his ultrasoft tyre – the least durable compound.

    It seemed a curious decision at the time – given Rosberg was posting fastest lap after fastest lap – and made even more so when Hamilton emerged behind his team-mate.

    “The one-stop seemed to be the better strategy for the leader,” Toto Wolff said.

    “But at a certain stage we felt that a two-stop strategy was the safer way to end the race.”

    VETTEL’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS GO FLAT

    Sebastian Vettel turned 29 on Sunday, but the four-time champion had little cause for celebration.

    He started only ninth after serving a penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.

    He navigated his way into the lead as he attempted an aggressive one-stop strategy before a blow-out on lap 27.

    Vettel, who was approaching speeds of 320kph when it happened, said: “Everything was the same as the lap before, and there were no signs of the failure. It’s a complete question mark on why the tyre failed.”

    LORD OF THE MANOR

    After equalling Manor’s best-ever qualifying position with 12th, German rookie Pascal Wehrlein then scored the first point of his career, and first for his team this season.

    Wehrlein, the highly-rated Mercedes protege, has not had it all his own way this season, but he excelled on a track which is the only one so far which he has raced on before.

    “It’s incredible,” Wehrlein said. “I’m so happy. It’s just been one of those weekends and to end it this way is a fantastic reward for everyone.”

    Recommended