2019 Austrian Grand Prix

Lore & Background

Max Verstappen won the race driving the Red Bull Racing RB15. The victory was the first win for a Honda-powered F1 car since Jenson Button in the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen became the first non-Mercedes driver to win a race in 2019. The race marked the first time that Red Bull made it back-to-back wins at their home Grand Prix.

In Their Own Story

Verstappen's eyes were locked on Hamilton's rear wing; the gap was closing, but physics suggested a pass was impossible. Then came the dive. Braking later than anyone thought possible, Verstappen threw the Red Bull inside at Turn 3, the tires screaming in protest as he squeezed between the Mercedes and the grass. Smoke billowed from the contact point, the crowd gasped, and for a heartbeat, it looked like a collision. Instead, the bull surged ahead on the exit of the hairpin. The pits erupted, the track shook with sound, and Red Bull Ring witnessed a moment that defied logic.

Reader's Guide

Verstappen started second but dropped to eighth at turn 2 due to an anti-stall issue. He recovered, passing Vettel on lap 50, Bottas on lap 56, and overtook Leclerc at turn 2 on lap 69, three laps from the end. The stewards deemed the overtake legal. Hamilton finished fifth after pitting for a damaged front wing. Vettel passed Hamilton on the final lap for fourth. Antonio Giovinazzi scored his first career points by finishing tenth. Every driver saw the chequered flag for the first time since the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix.

Did You Know?

• This was the first win for a Honda-powered F1 car since Jenson Button in the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Verstappen became the first non-Mercedes driver to win a race in 2019.
• The race marked the first time Red Bull made back-to-back wins at their home Grand Prix.
• Antonio Giovinazzi scored his first ever career points in Formula One by finishing tenth.
• Every driver saw the chequered flag for the first time since the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix.