F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Aston Martin Protest Leads to Penalties for Eight Drivers, Including Hamilton

As a result of the Silverstone-based Aston Martin Formula 1 team challenging the Austrian Grand Prix results, many drivers were penalised post-race, which affected the race results. An Aston Martin representative was called to see the stewards around 6:30 pm local time, and the FIA announced this, but did not immediately elaborate on the nature of Aston Martin's objection. The stewards then confirmed that the objection had been lodged because many vehicles were permitted to keep going without being penalised for violations of Article 33.3 of the sports regulations, i.e. for exceeding track limits. The stewards have requested that race control do a "reconciliation" between the number of laps that have been deleted and the number of penalty laps that have been given. As many as 1200 or more incidents were reportedly flagged of a vehicle possibly leaving the track, so this might take some time, even though a review was supposedly already underway prior to the protest.

Also Read: F1: Red Bull Affirms End of AlphaTauri Name form Formula 1, Team to be Renamed in 2024

F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Updated Race Result

The stewards ruled in favour of Aston Martin's objection and indicated that penalties for going above the track's limit would be added to the standings. Sainz, Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Logan Sargeant, Nyck de Vries, and Yuki Tsunoda have all received further penalties from the FIA, which have now trickled down to the teams.

According to the updated standings, Norris is now in fourth place, while Fernando Alonso has moved up to fifth. George Russell moves up to the number seven spot in the squad, while Lewis Hamilton falls to eighth. Ocon falls from the 12th to the 14th position, while Gasly falls to the 10th. Lance Stroll moves up to the 9th position. Both Albon and Sargeant maintain their P11 and P13 positions. De Vries of AlphaTauri slips from P15 to P17, while Tsunoda declines from P18 to P19.

The FIA has said that it would underline once again the need of gravel traps being built at the Red Bull Ring, namely at the exit of the high-speed Turns 9 and 10, where the great majority of infractions were committed. The slower Turn 4 right-hander already has gravel traps on its outside edge. Circuit management has apparently been hesitant to install the deterrents at the last two corners since motorcycle racing, including the premier MotoGP series, also takes place there.

Also Read: F1: AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda to Join Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull's Nurburgring Event

F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc gives Ferrari their 800th podium in Austria

After finishing second at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc hailed teammate Carlos Sainz for his role in the duel with Sergio Perez that allowed him to get some breathing room and secure Ferrari's 800th Formula 1 podium. The Ferrari Formula One team experienced a polarising weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc finished second, giving him his second podium of the year, while Carlos Sainz dropped to sixth.

After an impressive performance, Leclerc acknowledged Sainz for his stellar defence against Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who was setting fast lap times in the latter stages of the race.

Sainz fought hard to keep Perez from passing, and the Mexican ended up finishing just 12 seconds behind Leclerc. As a bonus, Leclerc's second-place performance moved him up to sixth place in the championship, ahead of George Russell. Sainz is still in fifth place at the end of Austrian Gran Prix.