Relive the amazing 5-car battle from lap 25 of the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix in video
Battles with 5 cars over several turns is unusual, and it happened on the Spielberg circuit during the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Let's take a look back at the crazy scenario of lap 25.
We are on lap 24 of the Austrian Grand Prix. As Fernando Alonso has been battling Alfa Romeo’s Zhou since lap 12, he manages to get closer in this lap and attempts an overtaking maneuver. Zhou resists well and both drivers lose time. Behind them, drivers on fresher tires are rapidly closing in: Magnussen (Haas), Norris (McLaren), and Schumacher (Haas).
As the 25th lap approaches, Alonso gets close enough to Zhou to attempt a new overtake in the first corner. Magnussen gets caught in the slipstream of both drivers and moves to the right to try and overtake Alonso, who in turn overtakes Zhou. This first corner already witnesses a rare event: two overtakes side by side. The battle continues on the straight thanks to DRS. Norris, who was in 4th position at that time, manages to take the outside line and slots in just behind Magnussen, who leads the group. This intense battle involving five drivers benefits Mick Schumacher as well, who overtakes Zhou right after.
The 5 cars – like in karting – stayed very close together, taking advantage of the slipstream just millimetres behind the rear wing of the car in front. This scene was made possible thanks to the new aerodynamic regulations in Formula 1, which drastically reduce the aerodynamic disturbances when driving behind another car.
The replay video of Canal+
