Max Verstappen continued his incredible winning streak to claim his fifth straight victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver has been in dominant form to extend his lead in the drivers’ championship to 81 points, with the prospect of a third world title looking increasingly likely.
Despite the championship prospects, Verstappen is focused on the present, enjoying the fun of driving his car and collaborating with his team.
Your Grand Prix podium stars in Austria! 🇦🇹✨
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 2, 2023
🥇 Max Verstappen
🥈 Charles Leclerc
🥉 Sergio Perez #AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/uNOQRHiCqK
When questioned about his championship prospects, Verstappen humbly dismissed the notion, focusing on the present moment and enjoying the experience of driving his extraordinary car while collaborating with his team. Prefer to enjoy. The 25-year-old driver expressed satisfaction with the current success but remained determined to maintain his excellent form.
What a way to finish a perfect weekend @redbullracing 🏆
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 2, 2023
An absolutely amazing job by everyone in the team 💪
A big thank you goes out to everyone for joining us on the Red Bull Ring! Your support is seriously unmatched 👏🦁#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/OtDDffn6WB
In an exciting battle for the remaining podium places, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc emerged victorious, ahead of Verstappen’s team-mate, Sergio Perez, to finish second. Leclerc’s victory added to the intensity of the race, as Verstappen’s dominance remained unchallenged.
Verstappen’s performance in Austria demonstrated his unwavering excellence, as he once again started the race from pole position and easily coasted to victory. The win is his seventh in nine races this season. The Dutch driver’s exceptional form over the weekend was further highlighted by his victory in Saturday’s sprint race, capping off a perfect weekend.
Reflecting on the success, Verstappen praised his team’s overall performance, highlighting their flawless execution of strategy and ability to overcome the challenges of a busy sprint weekend. Acknowledging that things can easily go wrong in such conditions, Verstappen praised the luck that favored his team during the Austrian Grand Prix.
However, Verstappen’s streak of 249 consecutive race laps ended in Austria when he pitted on lap 26, allowing Leclerc to briefly take the lead. Despite this minor setback, Verstappen’s dominance throughout the race was undeniable.
Before the start of the Grand Prix, a minute’s silence was held to pay tribute to 18-year-old driver Delano van Hoff, who tragically lost his life during a junior race in Belgium. Verstappen, deeply saddened by the news, expressed his condolences, heartfelt sympathy and tributes to Van Hoff’s family and friends.
As Max Verstappen continues his impressive form, the focus is on more victories and a world championship title. With his exceptional skills, strong team support, and unwavering determination, Verstappen continues to cement his place as one of Formula 1’s brightest stars while also commemorating his fellow racers.
