P5 for Max despite podium finish
Published on 02 August 2014 by Stefan Meens
After an eventful first race of the eighth FIA Formula 3 European Championship round in Austria, Max Verstappen was classified in fifth despite finishing on the podium. An overtaking manoeuvre in the third lap on Antonio Fuoco resulted in Max briefly driving outwitted the track limits. The stewards ruled the talented Dutchman gained an unlawful advantage because of this excursion and was subsequently rewarded a five second penalty after the race.
The first race at the Red Bull Ring kicked off in glorious sunshine and sees Esteban Ocon start from pole ahead of Max in P2. Both front runners have a good start, but Verstappen junior gets off the mark the best. As the two approach the first corner, the Dutchman in his Van Amersfoort Racing racer sits alongside the Frenchman. As they turn into the corner, Ocon does not leave enough room and a collision is unavoidable sending the championship leader into a spin. Fortunately, for Max, he does not lose a lot of time in the incident and is able to rejoin the race in sixth.
Max explains: “I had a superb start which meant Ocon and I were side by side as we turned into the first corner. He didn’t give me enough room and we touched. It wasn’t my fault but it did damage my front suspension.”
Meanwhile, Tom Blomqvist, Antonio Giovinazzi and Felix Rosenqvist make the most of the tussle in the first corner and the quartet lead the pack. Max sits in sixth but is able to slowly but gradually work his way up the order. In lap 3 he overtakes Ferrari-protegé at the second turn. Unfortunately, the stewards deem Max’ manoeuvre unlawful as he briefly exceeds the track limits and the Dutchman is penalised with a five second penalty post race.
Regardless, Max is putting in good lap times despite the damaged suspension and is able to close the gap on the duo that fight for P3, Jake Dennis and Felix Rosenqvist. At the same time Max has caught up with them, Dennis attempts a daring manoeuvre on Rosenqvist at turn two. Both drivers miss the corner and Max is able to squeeze passed in a swift move, gaining P3 in the process.
Max has to settle for the final podium spot as the two leading drivers, the Jagonya Ayam by Carlin team mates Tom Blomqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi, have established too big of a gap at the front. In the end, it is the British driver who claims the victory.
Despite climbing on the podium, Max will not inherit the fifteen points rewarded for P3 but he has to settle for the ten points awarded for fifth due to the post race time penalty. The result means Max trails championship leader Ocon by 106 points with eleven races remaining.
“In the end I’m happy to have finished the race after the first corner collision with Ocon. The front suspension was damaged and I don’t think it would’ve lasted another two laps”, concludes Max.
The full schedule for the Red Bull Ring Euro F3 round can be found here.
Furthermore, you can follow Max via the official live timing and the live stream (races only).
Via Twitter and Facebook we will keep you updated throughout the weekend followed by a full report on Verstappen.nl at the end of the day’s action.
FIA Formula 3 European Championship Round 8 – Red Bull Ring – Day 2, Saturday August 1:
Results race 1
