8 Memorable Moments From The Austrian Grand Prix

After the Mercedes dominance was broken by Daniel Ricciardo in Canada, the two Silver Arrows cars returned to the front in Austria on the race’s return to F1 for the first time since 2003. Nico Rosberg stormed from third on the grid to first, moving ahead of the two Williams cars that locked out the front row, with Lewis Hamilton recovering to second after starting ninth.

Valtteri Bottas scored a popular debut podium, finishing well clear of his team-mate and the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix pole-sitter Felipe Massa. Fernando Alonso completed the top five, while Sebastian Vettel retired to save his engine after an early issue. Here are some memorable moments from the race:

1. A storming start

Lewis Hamilton’s spin in the final qualifying session meant he lined up ninth on the grid for the race, his worst qualifying performance of the season. However, a perfect getaway from the line meant he jumped up to fourth place in the first few corners – he admitted it was one of the best he has ever had.

2. Pit stop blunder

Esteban Gutierrez was handed a 10-place grid penalty for the next F1 race at Silverstone - as well as serving a stop/go penalty during the Austrian Grand Prix - after he was released from his pit stop with only three wheels properly attached.

3. Some good racing

It was great to see some good racing at the front of the field during the race, with the Mercedes drivers working their way up the order and the Williams duo mixing it with the team that has dominated the season so far. Hamilton’s move on Massa after the Brazilian’s second pit stop was one of the highlights.

4. In the kitty litter

Daniil Kvyat took a trip through the gravel trap at turn five following a problem with his right-rear suspension on lap 26. The Russian was lucky to not find the wall after the high-speed failure.

5. Red Bull woes at home

Sebastian Vettel’s race took a dramatic turn for the worse on lap two after he slowed exiting the opening corner. He dropped down the pack but he managed to get the car going again, although he had ended up a lap down on the leading group. With the German eventually retiring and Ricciardo finishing eighth, it was a poor showing for the Red Bull team’s home race.

6. Webber reappears

Mark Webber’s appearance on the podium – to interview the top three finishers – was met with huge cheers, louder than when the drivers actually emerged to collect their trophies. He was also on hand as a pundit for the BBC for parts of the weekend. The Aussie is currently racing in the World Endurane Championship but is missed in the F1 world.

7. A popular debut podium

Valtteri Bottas drove a faultless race to score a very popular first F1 podium. The Finn made a good start but dropped behind Rosberg. However, his superior pace meant he was able to leap-frog his team-mate in the pit stops and eventually finished third.

8. Too far?

We all know FOM (Formula One Management) super-impose sponsor logos onto circuits during races, but it went one step further at the Red Bull Ring by leaving this message with two laps to go.