Austrian GP Race Review
About this episode
Matt and Tommy break down a thrilling Austrian GP, debating the tense final laps where George Russell held off a hard-charging Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. They dive into Red Bull's pit strategy, questioning if a different call could have handed Verstappen the win. The duo also debates the Mercedes team dynamics, analyzing whether Russell's clean driving can keep him in the title fight against Antonelli's raw but sometimes scruffy pace, while Matt laments another tough weekend for Charles Leclerc.
We experienced everything that modern F1 has to offer at the Red Bull Ring: the good, the bad and the insane TV direction. We’re happy but frustrated, so join us!
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Red Bull Ring
"Round eight, Dan and Dusted, Austria in the locker and you know what, qualifying was controversial."
The race track in Austria where the Austrian Grand Prix is held. It's owned by the Red Bull energy drink company and is known for being short, fast, and having beautiful mountain views.
A 4.318 km (2.683 mi) racing circuit in Spielberg, Styria, Austria, owned by Red Bull. It features dramatic elevation changes and three long straights ending in tight corners, making it a hotspot for overtaking and track-limits controversies.
Charles Leclerc
"But if you know my allegiances to Charles Leclerc and if you're new to the podcast, that's why."
A highly talented racing driver from Monaco who drives for the famous Ferrari team in Formula 1.
Monégasque Formula 1 driver racing for Scuderia Ferrari. Known for his incredible single-lap qualifying pace and as one of the sport's brightest talents, he has been a central figure in Ferrari's modern championship aspirations.
Max Verstappen
"P2 for your boy, of course, Max Verstappen. Yes, indeed. Yeah, it was a good race."
A highly successful Dutch racing driver who has won multiple Formula 1 world championships with the Red Bull team.
Dutch Formula 1 driver racing for Red Bull Racing, who became a multi-time World Champion after making his debut at just 17 years old. Renowned for his aggressive driving style, relentless pace, and exceptional wet-weather mastery.
George Russell
"We saw a situation where George Russell was leading. Verstappen was closing in..."
A top British racing driver who competes for the Mercedes team in Formula 1.
British Formula 1 driver racing for Mercedes-AMG Petronas. Known for his analytical approach, strong qualifying performances, and leadership within the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.
Kimi Antonelli
"Verstappen was closing in and then Antonelli was closing in on both of them even quicker, potentially."
An incredibly fast young Italian racing driver who was signed by the Mercedes Formula 1 team at a very young age due to his amazing talent.
Italian racing prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who rapidly climbed the junior single-seater ranks to secure a highly anticipated Formula 1 seat with Mercedes. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents of his generation.
tyre delta
"Of course, he got a six lap tyre delta to George Russell, which is what Red Bull wanted."
The difference in speed between a car with fresh, new tyres and a car with old, worn-out tyres. Newer tyres have more grip, making the car much faster.
The difference in performance, grip, and lap time between two different sets of tyres, usually due to age (number of laps run) or compound differences (e.g., soft vs. hard). Teams use this metric to calculate overtaking opportunities.
Ferrari
"I would say that this race even, you know, we'll talk about Ferrari's strategy later..."
The most famous and historic team in Formula 1 racing, known for their bright red cars and passionate Italian heritage.
Scuderia Ferrari is the oldest and most successful active team in Formula 1, competing since the inaugural 1950 season. Based in Maranello, Italy, the team is iconic for its passion, 'Rosso Corsa' red livery, and massive global fanbase known as the Tifosi.
Lewis Hamilton
"I would say that this race even, you know, we'll talk about Ferrari's strategy later and how Lewis Hamilton, you know, going on those soft tyres, he didn't exactly fly through the field."
One of the greatest racing drivers of all time, who has won a record-tying seven Formula 1 world championships.
British Formula 1 driver and seven-time World Champion, statistically the most successful driver in F1 history. Renowned for his exceptional race craft, wet-weather driving, and global advocacy outside of motorsport.
Energy Recovery System (ERS)
"and yes, he closes up, but then it's incredibly hard to pass George Russell, who, you know, has his deployment of that Mercedes has obviously been amazing this year"
The hybrid battery system in modern Formula 1 cars that saves up energy when the car brakes and uses it to give the car an extra boost of speed on the straightaways.
The hybrid component of modern F1 power units that harvests waste heat (MGU-H) and kinetic energy under braking (MGU-K) to store in a battery, providing up to 160 horsepower of additional electrical deployment.
Virtual Safety Car
"Ferrari and VSCs, man, honestly, like the start of the year, they're fighting Mercedes, they have the cheapest pit stop to take a VSC, save some time..."
A system used during a race when there is a minor hazard on the track. Instead of a real safety car leading the pack, drivers must slow down to a safe speed and stay the same distance apart from each other.
A safety system in Formula 1 that requires drivers to reduce their speed by a set percentage (usually around 30-40%) and maintain a consistent gap to other cars, indicated by a target delta time on their steering wheel. It is used for minor incidents where a full safety car is not required.
undercut
"Not that you would expect perhaps with the potential undercut and having those fresh softs versus other drivers..."
A racing strategy where a driver makes a pit stop earlier than the car in front of them. By getting fresh, faster tyres first, they can drive fast enough to overtake the other car when it finally stops for its own tyres.
A pit stop strategy where a driver pits earlier than the car ahead to use the grip of fresh tyres to set faster lap times, thereby jumping ahead of the rival when they eventually make their pit stop.
lift-and-coast technique
"We've 100% been desensitized to it because you actually watch it, they are lifting and coasting."
A technique where a driver takes their foot off the gas pedal a bit early before a corner to let the car coast. It helps save fuel and battery power during a race.
A driving technique where a driver releases the accelerator ('lifts') before the braking zone and lets the car's momentum carry it forward ('coasts') before applying the brakes. This is primarily used to save fuel, manage engine/brake temperatures, or harvest electrical energy.
ground effect
"I don't know if it is just the fact that the ground effect era, they're absolutely sending it into those corners, they're flying over the kerbs."
A design trick where the bottom of a race car is shaped to suck the car down onto the track using the air flowing underneath it. This helps the car go through corners incredibly fast.
An aerodynamic principle where the underside of the car is shaped like an inverted wing (using Venturi tunnels) to create low pressure, sucking the car down to the track. This generates massive downforce with minimal drag, particularly in high-speed corners.
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