Valtteri Bottas wins dramatic Austrian Grand Prix as Formula One season finally gets underway


  • English
  • Arabic

Formula One made its delayed start to the season on Sunday and in dramatic style, too, as Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas won the Austrian Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was second in an action-packed race, which started after 14 of the 20 drivers took a knee on the grid in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lando Norris, in a McLaren, secured a first-ever podium finish in third, ahead of world champion and fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes.

Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty at the start and then a five-second penalty in the race.

"Lewis was really quick today but I managed to keep it together. No better way to start the season," said Bottas of a race held behind closed doors.

Leclerc, one of six drivers who opted not to take a knee on the grid, had started in seventh place.

"It's a huge surprise, but a good one. I think we did everything perfect today - we had a bit of luck, but it's part of the race too. That was the goal, to take every opportunity," he said.

Norris was overjoyed at his finish, coming on the back of a fourth best time in qualifying.

"I'm speechless. There were a few points where I thought I'd fudged it up a bit... but I managed to get past Perez and end up on the podium!

"I'm so happy and so proud of the team."

Student Of The Year 2

Director: Punit Malhotra

Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal 

1.5 stars

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.