Feature Race: Vesti takes victory for Prema as rain ends race early

  • Published on 11 Jul 2020 11:06
  • comments 0
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Prema's Fredrik Vest took the win this morning in Austria ahead of Lirim Zandelli. David Beckmann rounded out the podium positions in third place in a race that was ended ten laps early due to very wet conditions.

As rain began to sprinkle the grid prior to the formation lap. most teams took the decision to wet tyres for the start. It was also reported before the race got underway that more rain was on the way and that there was heavier rain at turns four and five.

Pole sitter Vesti led away as teammate Logan Sargeant dropped down the order. Zandeli challenged Vesti for the lead after a great start on the run up to turn three, but could not find a way around the Danish driver.

Liam Lawson and Alex Peroni made slight contact as the pair battled for ninth coming through turn five, but both drivers continued on without any issue. The virtual safety car was deployed soon after as Aleksandr Smolyar spun into the barriers exiting turn ten and was forced to retire.

The drivers got back to racing on lap six as the Trident cars of Zandeli and Beckmann chased after Vesti. Many drivers reported the conditions as very difficult to drive in as rain and spray hindered visibility.

Olli Caldwell and Oscar Piastri finished in fourth and fifth, while Richard Verschoor and Sargeant crossed the line in sixth and seventh.

Carlin's Clement Novalak was the next driver to suffer in the race, as a left rear puncture sent the Carlin spinning at the final corner, bringing out the safety car. Novalak managed to continue on after making a pit stop, as it was revealed that contact with teammate Enaam Ahmed was the cause of his puncture.

Vesti continued to lead as racing resumed on lap twelve, with Caldwell stealing fourth from Piastri with a late lunge into turn three. Beckmann was lucky to not spin at turn seven as the Trident got into a slide through the corner.

A second safety car was deployed after incidents for both Sebastian Fernandez and Roman Stanek. However, the cars would return to the pit lane as race control decided to red flag the race.

Eighth and ninth went to Lawson and Theo Pourchaire as Jake Hughes took the final point and pole for tomorrow's reverse grid race in tenth.

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar