Hamilton edged by red-hot Bottas
LEWIS HAMILTON and Valtteri Bottas put the F1 world on notice in Austria yesterday – they are going nowhere.
The double act was headed by Bottas who was just 0.012seconds ahead of defending world champion Hamilton for Mercedes on the return after a four-month delay following coronavirus.
The Spielberg track’s tricky 10 corners made for a ding-dong final qualifier and in a last-gasp push for the front Bottas veered off the course – but he had already set an amazing time which Hamilton (left) could not match.
The circuit is the setting for the 70th anniversary of Formula One, and today’s race is set to stir Hamilton for only his second win around F1’s fastest circuit.
Sebastian Vettel, one of the prerace favourites in a revitalised Ferrari, shocked fans and himself when he missed the final shootout – he will start 11th on the grid today. Vettel said: “I thought we had much more to offer. But I am not happy with the car. And we will be faced with a huge challenge in the race.”
Hamilton, seeking a seventh world crown, had topped all three practice sessions on Friday and Saturday but just missed out when it mattered most.
He said: “Valterri did a grand job – and it has been a great result for the team. I am so happy to be where I am for the start.”