Race 8 & 9 - Austria

 So this is horribly late, and I regret postponing this so much because the whole point of this blog was to remember what happened each race, but if I don't remember it when I'm writing it down it kind of defeats the purpose methinks.

Its a shame as well because I really like this circuit too. Well anyway, here we go.

REDBULL

It's only right to start with Redbull at the Redbull ring, eh? Max Verstappen absolutely sublime in both races, just sensational. Kind of reminded me of the old Redbull!Seb to be honest. So calm and cool as well Max was, no problems to his car or race-craft whatsoever.

Checo on the other hand had more "exciting" weekends let's say, especially in the second Austria race. He did have a bit of bad luck at that race and had to fight his way through the field, finally unable to catch Lando Norris for the final podium. 

MCLAREN

Lando Norris is in the form of his life! It's quite like a Pokemon evolution happened over the winter, and Pikachu has grown into Raichu over here. He was phenomenal in both races, but especially in the second race where he finished on the podium ahead of Lewis and despite having a penalty, and it is such a pity that all his podiums have only been number 3 so far because he is driving much better than some of the other podium winners this season. 

Daniel though on the other hand - it's been a struggle for him. The second race was... better, but when you are Daniel Ricciardo and your teammate is on the podium, I'm sure he has to be disappointed. 

FERRARI

Not going to lie, I was quite spooked by their performance at Paul Ricard, but thankfully they seem to have managed to bounce back a bit. Curiously, their performance has reversed. Before France they were great at quali but didn't match that in the race. The Austria races were quite the opposite story. In the first race, Carlos made his strategy work quite brilliantly. Charles went on a murder rampage. Both of them came out with some good points. In the second race there were even more overtakes and some great wheel-to-wheel action from both the guys again, with Charles slipping down the order a bit but still in the points, and Carlos with a great P5. Bodes well for the sprint race quali at Silverstone!

MERCEDES

Oh Lewis. I know he has won a gazillion times but man it's tough to see his face when he's down. I don't know if there's something wrong with the Merc or the other cars are just developing more this season. Watching Lando overtake Lewis that easily - that shouldn't have been possible.

Well, at least Valtteri seems to have shaken off his bad luck. A couple of podiums for him definitely helped him in that conversation for next year's drive.

To be honest, nothing much to write home about the other teams on my end. Pierre Gasly getting crashed out by Charles in the first race - brutal. Felt for him there. Glad he got points in the second race though! 

The Aston Martin - I cannot decide if it is a dog car or not because they do show some spark sometimes but are largely quite unimpressive compared to last year's Racing Point.

And finally - George freaking Russell. He is driving his heart out this year, clearing Q1 in every single race this year and even clearing Q2 in the final Austrian race. He was so close to points, in both races really, but fell short on both occasions.

It's off to Silverstone now, back to the home of F1. Also the first of the three sprint qualifying rounds of the year, which I am looking forward to. I guess I'll see ya when I see ya guys. Till then - bye!