Underground performance in the Spielberg Sprint: Even the most loyal Alfa-Sauber fans are sorely disappointed

class=”sc-29f61514-0 jbwksb”>

Unfortunately, it will be dry from 3 p.m. on Sunday at the GP of Austria over 71 laps (tv live). So there can be no rain and rubber chaos like in the second sprint of the season. He brought a further eight points to championship leader Verstappen, who is on pole on Sunday.

The Dutchman even kept his spirits up in the turbulent final. Because after 16 of the 24 laps, the first drivers started to exchange their green intermediate tires for dry tires (soft or medium).

And it paid off, as lap times suddenly dropped by six seconds.

Only Verstappen, Pérez, Sainz, Stroll and Alonso, ie the top five, as well as Ocon (7th) and bottom Bottas did not change.

Hot duel Verstappen / Pérez in the 1st round

Verstappen experienced the only awkward situation on the first lap when teammate Pérez attacked him. The Dutchman dug deep into his box of tricks and pushed the rebellious Mexican towards the wall. Pérez then retaliated with another foul as he forced the double world champion onto the grass. Then the fun was over – and Hülkenberg sat in the sensational Haas Ferrari between the two Red Bull Hondas.

The German fought like a lion but had to let Pérez and Sainz pass in the break. Until Schumi’s successor switched to dry tires after 17 laps. In fourth place. In the end it was enough for three gold points.

Alfa-Sauber loses a World Cup place

And that was enough to knock Alfa-Sauber back to eighth place in the World Cup! What the Hinwilers offered this Saturday was just underground. Zhou (16th) and Bottas (19th) were eliminated in the first part of sprint qualifying.

And when it came to the sprint start on the wet warm-up lap, you couldn’t believe your eyes. 19 drivers on the green Intermediates rubber – only Bottas was on the road with yellow (medium)!

But the Finn must have noticed on his way to the start that it wasn’t as “dry” as he thought. He drove to the pits to change tires – and just came out of the pit lane…

And because Sargeant Zhou immediately overtook the Williams, the two Alfa-Saubers were last and penultimate from the start!

That changed with the many rubber changes in the last laps. Then suddenly Bottas appeared in 13th place with the rain rubber.

Bottas passed at the end

But all drivers behind him were up to six seconds faster. And on the last lap, Bottas was then overtaken by Zhou. A tragedy in Styria.

It’s time for a response or a good explanation from Hinwil. Everything has been covered up since the start of the season – and even the most loyal fans are deeply disappointed.

And at the press conference of the winners, Alfa-Sauber was also indirectly mocked by Verstappen: “Before the start I heard on the radio that someone was driving with dry tyres. So I thought to myself: good luck…»

Source : Blick