Did Drivers gang up against the FIA? 2023 Austrian GP Review

With over 1,200 track limit violations in the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, we wonder if the drivers ganged up against the FIA to prove a point. After all, track limits is a recurring issue at the Red Bull Ring - an issue that almost no one is trying to find a permanent and more reliable solution for.

We're hosting a live race screening for Formula 1 fans in Mumbai for the 2023 British Grand Prix.

Where: Khar SOCIAL

When: 9th July, 6.30 pm onward (IST)

Soumil Arora will host a pre/post race interaction & F1 quiz for all attendees.

Get your tickets on Paytm Insider.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal banter on track limits, what happened, why it happened and what's next? Are you surprised that no other team protested? And are you some of the few even more surprised that Alpine didn't further protest Esteban Ocon's post-race time penalties? After all, Ocon was one of two drivers (the other being George Russell) who was given no in-race notification of violation. Just FIA things, we know.

Also, Ferrari got their race strategy right two races in a row - but Carlos Sainz (and maybe Charles Leclerc) knows that the podium was his. Sergio Perez had two Qualifying sessions and he decided to mess up at least one. Lando Norris proved that Austria is his happy hunting ground.

Toto Wolff's pleading Lewis Hamilton to drive the Mercedes, Carlos Sainz being 'intimidated' by Sergio Perez, Norris-Hamilton playing sensors and a lot more in our review episode of the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 33)

Follow our host on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

**Track Limits:**

* The Austrian Grand Prix witnessed a staggering 1,200 track limit violations, prompting speculation that drivers were intentionally pushing the boundaries to challenge the FIA's authority.
* The excessive track limit infringements led to numerous penalties, including a post-race 30-second penalty for Esteban Ocon, who was initially unaware of his violations during the race.
* The incident highlighted the need for a more reliable and efficient system for monitoring track limits, with suggestions ranging from gravel traps to AI-powered sensors.
* The FIA's handling of the situation, particularly the delayed penalty for Ocon, raised questions about the consistency and transparency of race control.

**Ferrari's Strategy:**

* Ferrari's strategic decisions in Austria yielded positive results, with Carlos Sainz securing P4 and Charles Leclerc finishing P2, despite a slow pit stop and a double stack.
* The team's ability to recover from these setbacks demonstrated their improved pit stop performance and overall race strategy.
* Sainz's defense against Sergio Perez was particularly impressive, showcasing his tenacity and skill in wheel-to-wheel combat.

**Max Verstappen's Dominance:**

* Max Verstappen's victory in Austria marked his fifth win at the Red Bull Ring and Red Bull Racing's 101st victory overall.
* Verstappen's commanding performance, including a strategic pit stop late in the race, highlighted his exceptional talent and consistency.
* The Dutchman's dominance has drawn comparisons to Kimi Raikkonen's achievements, with Verstappen matching Raikkonen's tally of 21 wins in just 14 months.

**Mercedes' Struggles:**

* Mercedes endured a challenging race in Austria, with Lewis Hamilton struggling to extract pace from the car and finishing outside the points.
* Team principal Toto Wolff's radio message to Hamilton, pleading with him to drive the car despite its poor performance, sparked discussions about driver motivation and the team's current situation.
* The team's struggles underscored the difficulties they face in developing a competitive car for the 2023 season.

**Sebastian Vettel vs. Max Verstappen:**

* Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing's motorsport advisor, compared Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, two of the team's most successful drivers.
* Marko highlighted Verstappen's natural talent and ease in adapting to different conditions, while acknowledging Vettel's meticulous approach to engineering and race preparation.

**Milestone Numbers:**

* The Austrian Grand Prix featured several milestone achievements, including:
* Max Verstappen's 21st win in 14 months, equaling Kimi Raikkonen's tally over 19 seasons.
* Red Bull Racing's 101st victory, solidifying their position as one of the most successful teams in Formula One history.
* Lando Norris's 100th Grand Prix start, marking a significant milestone in his career. **Inside Line F1 Podcast: Austrian Grand Prix Review**

**Key Points:**

* The Austrian Grand Prix witnessed an unprecedented number of track limit violations, resulting in over 1,200 potential breaches, 83 lap times deleted, and numerous post-race time penalties.


* Max Verstappen's dominance continued, with the race marking his 32nd victory since 2021, equaling Fernando Alonso's tally over the past two decades.


* Verstappen also achieved the longest consecutive laps led in Formula 1 history, surpassing Ayrton Senna and Alberto Ascari, and became the only driver to earn 34 points in a race weekend twice.


* Charles Leclerc led the race for 10 laps, the longest stint for a non-Red Bull driver since George Russell at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.


* McLaren's performance in Austria was encouraging, with Lando Norris securing P4, attributed to cooler conditions and upgrades to the car.


* The FIA's handling of track limit violations was questioned, with drivers expressing confusion and frustration over the lack of real-time notifications.


* The podcast hosts discussed the upcoming British Grand Prix and invited listeners to join them for a live race screening event in Mumbai.

**Summary:**

The Inside Line F1 Podcast delved into the intricacies of the Austrian Grand Prix, focusing on the extraordinary number of track limit violations and the subsequent penalties. The hosts analyzed Max Verstappen's continued dominance, highlighting his impressive statistics and achievements. They also acknowledged Charles Leclerc's brief lead and McLaren's promising performance, particularly with the upgrades to their car. The podcast addressed the FIA's controversial handling of track limit violations, expressing empathy for the drivers' confusion and frustration. The hosts concluded by discussing the upcoming British Grand Prix and extended an invitation to listeners to join them for a live race screening event in Mumbai.