Austrian GP tops/flops: Verstappen's perfect weekend, Mercedes not in the game

TOPS

Difficult not to put it at the top after such a performance. Yes the Red Bull dominates but Max Verstappen crushes everything. The Dutchman signed what is called the perfect weekend in Austria. Friday, he slammed the pole. Saturday, he signed the sprint pole which he won in stride and Sunday, the victory and the fastest lap. He scores 34 points and takes his lead to 81 points over Sergio Perez in the drivers standings. Total dominance.

He had missed his qualifications on Friday, before reacting on Saturday with a second place in the sprint. Sunday, the Mexican started 15th and made the comeback of the day. With numerous overtakes, especially at turn 3 on the brakes, Sergio Perez easily returned to the top 10 before benefiting from Red Bull's offbeat strategy. On a fast pace at the end of the race, he dropped Norris then Sainz to climb on the third step of the podium. Good for confidence.

The Briton was eagerly awaiting the new aero package on his McLaren. He must be delighted. Lando Norris delivered a hell of a weekend, regularly in front, and he was rewarded with a solid race which ended in a fine fifth place. By far his best result of the season.

Canada had done good for the Scuderia and the step forward glimpsed on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean was confirmed in Austria. Ferrari was regularly at the forefront this weekend and validated its return to the fore with second place for Charles Leclerc, its best result of the season, and fourth for Carlos Sainz, who could have done better without a penalty five seconds. A new positive sign for the Italians.

FLOPS

For the first time since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, no Mercedes appeared in the top 5. The German cars generally suffered throughout the weekend in Austria and took a real step back after several very interesting races. Seventh, Lewis Hamilton was very nervous throughout the Grand Prix, notably lectured by Toto Wolff, and he was also penalized with a five-second penalty for having exceeded the track limits too many times. For his part, George Russell went through the race like a ghost and finished eighth. The two British drivers will surely be vengeful at Silverstone, on their home soil, next weekend.

Complicated weekend for the Blues. Esteban Ocon had saved two points in the sprint on Saturday, and on Sunday it was Pierre Gasly who brought home two points with his ninth place in Austria. Esteban Ocon finished 12th. As in Canada, Alpine collects only four points in Styria. Not a good operation.