China’s car market is so huge and so diverse that keeping track of all the manufacturers can be difficult. Every so often, a new name pops up and has already progressed into production with new models. The impetus brought on by the country’s focus on New Energy Vehicles brought forth a number of new players, and among them is Li Auto Inc. which came into existence in 2015 and is already listed on NASDAQ (the stock exchange in New York City).
Li Auto has so far completed development of two models – the Auto ONE and L9. The L9 is the flagship model and made its online debut last month, appearing in showrooms in China last week. Online pre-orders are said to number more than 30,000 customers and the first units are expected to be delivered from the end of August 2022. Pricing starts from RMB459,800 (about RM303,310).
More than 30,000 orders within 72 hours of making debut online.
The L9 is a large full-size SUV with space for 6 within. Its 5218 mm long body with a clean and simple design sits on an in-house developed platform which supports a dual-motor 300 kW/620 Nm powertrain with all-wheel drive. Fitted with a new-generation NCM lithium battery storing 44.5 kilowatt-hour, a range of between 180 – 215 kms is claimed.
There is also a range-extender system powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine with maximum thermal efficiency of 40.5%. Coupled with a low drag coefficient and high motor efficiency, the L9’s with range-extender in use is said to be able to reach between 1,100 – 1,315 kms. It can also supply up to 3.5 kW of electricity for external use if needed.
Proprietary autonomous technology
The L9 also has the company’s self-developed autonomous driving system called Li AD Max with enhanced functionality bolstered by upgraded perception capability and data processing power. The perception hardware includes one forward 128-line LiDAR, six 8-megapixel cameras, five 2-megapixel cameras, one forward millimetre wave radar, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Together, the coverage is 360 degrees for detection of both vehicle surroundings and distant objects. In addition, there is a ‘sentry’ mode that monitors both the inside and outside of the vehicle through interior 3D ToF transmitters and exterior cameras.
To handle the increased processing needs resulting from the large number of sensors, the Li AD Max is powered by dual Orin-X chips with 508 TOPS of computing power and real-time, efficient processing of fusion signals. The dual processors provide fallback redundancies for each other, ensuring more stable operation of the autonomous driving system. In addition, the system is optimized to recognize and react to common accident scenarios, with features designed to identify and evade risks in advance and help prevent accidents.
Domain-based vehicle architecture
This SUV is one the first production models that deploys NXP’s S32G automotive network processors on its chassis system. The family of NXP S32G vehicle network processors marks a significant turning point in how vehicle architectures are designed and implemented, transforming the automotive industry to a high-performance domain-based vehicle architecture and providing software with minimal complexities and enhanced security and safety.
Adopting the S32G processors, there is an extra layer to the performance experience. The S32G processors not only provide ASIL D MCU and MPU performance with application-specific network hardware acceleration but also offloads processors to provide services with deterministic network performance necessary for the car to respond to the sophisticated real-time driving circumstances.
The S32G processors also embed high-performance hardware security acceleration, along with Public Key Infrastructure support for trusted key management enabled by its Hardware Security Engine (HSE). The firewalled HSE is the root of trust supporting secure boot, providing system security, and protecting against side-channel attacks, a crucial element in autonomous vehicles.
Smart cockpit
Within the SUV is a pioneering 5-screen 3-dimensional interactive mode which works with a head-up display (HUD) and interactive safe driving screen to present key driving information to the driver. The interactive screen, which is located above the steering wheel, adopts mini-LED and multi-touch technology, enabling easier interactions. The other 3 screens are large 15.7-inch 3K automotive-grade OLED screens that can be used for entertainment.
The L9’s smart cockpit is supported by a computing platform composed of two Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive-grade 8155 chips, which ensures the smoothness and responsiveness of its 5-screen 3-dimensional interactions.
Although there has been an auto industry in existence in China for a long time, it concentrated largely on commercial vehicles. As there was no infusion of technology from the outside world, advancements were slower as the manufacturers either drew on Russian technology (which was also not advanced) or developed themselves slowly. As a result, when the country opened up in the 1980s and its economic boom began, the early cars were quite basic and somewhat out of date… and quality was poor too.
The early cars from Chinese brands that appeared in Malaysia (in the 2000s) thus made a poor impression, not to mention the fact that they did not have strong representatives with experience in the auto industry. Even though the cars were cheap, Malaysian consumers were wary and had already moved further up the ‘curve’ in their expectations and the Korean offerings were better.
But with the rapid expansion of the market in China to become the world’s largest, the manufacturers have had the financial and technical resources to advance their technologies. Initially, they had formed technical tie-ups with European and Japanese carmakers as a quick way to get new technology. Once they got the technology, they then began to invest in developing their own to move ahead and rely less on foreign technologies (although they too source some systems from global leaders).
Looking outside China
Many of the top Chinese carmakers have begun to enter overseas markets even though their domestic market is still taking whatever they can make. With better products than what they offered 20 years ago, they are now gaining attention and slowly growing volumes in export markets. Companies like Geely have even gone to the extent of becoming a partner in Proton, providing its technical expertise and some products.
Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. , or GAC, as it is known, is one of the carmakers that is looking at global markets and in fact has had its eyes on the US market. While it has not actually started selling in America, the 25-year old carmaker already has a presence in some 25 countries and exported over 2 million vehicles.
Experienced partner for GAC
GAC has come to Malaysia and it’s picked a very experienced company – the Tan Chong Group – to be its business partner and help build the brand here. The Tan Chong Group, as most will know, was the one that brought Nissan (then known as Datsun) to Malaysia 65 years ago. And older readers will know that those early Datsuns were like the earlier Chinese cars and were not considered as tough as the European ones that were then dominant in the market. People even called them ‘milo tin cars’ because they seemed to have body panels as thin as milo tins!
GAC is represented by WTC Automotif (WTCA) which is appointed as its official distributor. WTCA is a subsidiary of Warisan TC Motor Holdings Bhd, a member of the Tan Chong Group of companies. As such, there is the established and extensive network of aftersales outlets and also experienced people in the organization to handle the business.
“What is also important to know is that Tan Chong has always been a long-term partner with whoever it represents. We don’t just go into a partnership but we look at all aspects and especially whether sustainability is possible. Our track record will show our commitment to our brands. So, customers can have confidence in becoming owners of GAC, even though it is a new brand in the market. We will be there to support them over many years to come,” said Tan Keng Meng, CEO of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd., the publicly-listed parent company of WTCA.
GAC’s first product for Malaysia
The first product that WTCA is importing, with a view of assembling in due course, is the GS3. This is a compact SUV which is sold under GAC’s Trumpchi brand in China but because of the name’s closeness to a former US president, the company avoids using ‘Trumpchi’ outside China. Exports began in 2019 but due to the pandemic, things have moved a bit slowly and it’s only this year that the model has arrived in Malaysia.
The design of the GS3 could be said to be a ‘typical SUV’, with many modern styling elements. There is a prominent grille which is referred to as a ‘Flying Dynamic Wing 3.0’, with chrome strips to give an elegant image. The profile has some resemblance to other SUVs in the market (Hyundai Tucson comes to mind) but for the Premium version we tested, there was a 2-tone colour scheme with a black roof that gave distinctiveness.
GAC has two powertrains for the GS3 and it is the 1.5-litre unit that is in the model sold in Malaysia. The engine is said to be developed by GAC itself and unlike some other new 1.5-litre engines in the market, it does not have turbocharging. Thus, the 4-cylinder engine has a modest output of 114 ps/150 Nm with efficient breathing by having variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides.
The transmission, which delivers power to the front wheels only, is a 6-speed automatic torque converter type. It’s supplied by Aisin which is one of the leaders in the field of drivetrains. With the small displacement and efficient power delivery, the GS3 has a claimed fuel consumption of 14.5 kms/litre and we actually got better than that (15.1 kms/litre) during our testing.
The GS3 platform is a fairly straightforward one typical of SUVs in this segment. MacPherson struts are fitted up front with a torsion beam at the rear end. 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted at the end of each axle and the front wheels are controlled by with electrically-assisted power steering. Disc brakes are also fitted to the rear wheels, a plus point though engineers will tell you that a drum brake will suffice.
The safety systems available in the SUV are generally what would be expected in a modern vehicle with things like ABS, stability control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution being standard. Just as it chose Aisin to supply its transmission, GAC also uses the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) system from Bosch, a global leader in active safety systems.
For those who are not so confident on slopes, there’s a Hill Hold Control to momentarily keep the vehicle in place before moving off, without having to step on the brakes. If heading downwards, the computer can manage the speed to maintain a safe pace and the driver just has to steer the vehicle. A Blind Spot system is also included and alerts the driver of other vehicles coming up nearby.
Around the cabin (except at the back) are 6 airbags to provide protection during collisions. The ones on the side cover the windows so, in a violent accident, the occupants won’t get ejected (as has happened in some cases although they were probably not belted in either). For those with children, there are ISOFIX points to securely attach compatible childseats. The law requires their use now, by the way.
Widest body in class
The GS3 has the widest body in its class (1825 mm) and this means more space within, especially the space between the front seats. It’s not a big difference from rivals like the Proton X50 and Perodua Ativa but can still be physically discerned. The width of the cabin is also emphasized by the horizontal theme of the dashboard, creating a visual expanse of space.
In the Premium version, there’s also a further enhancement of spaciousness with the ‘Sliding Star View’ sunroof. It’s something which is not so common in this class so it helps give the GS3 one more selling point against rivals. Understandably, being a newcomer, the GS3 needs to offer more without costing a lot more to win over new customers.
The cabin materials have a high quality look and feel and assembly quality is very good. It’s certainly a far cry from those cars from China 20 years ago which had loose panels and hard plastics. Now, with SUVs like the GS3, the materials have nice texturing which is important to give a quality image.
Unlike the Korean designers, GAC’s designers do not seem to be trying to ‘reinvent the wheel’, so to speak. Switches and controls are conventionally shaped with no strange shapes to try to be ‘different’. There are also switches on the leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and they are laid out in an intuitive manner so a new driver will operate them easily right from the first day.
For the price that WTCA is asking, which is just under RM100,000 for the Premium version, we’d say that the features list is appropriately comprehensive (even includes a pushstart button). You also get cruise control and the Climate Control System has PM2.5 particulate filtration and purifier which helps to keep the cabin air clean and removes smells.
Driving the GS3
As mentioned earlier, past experiences with cars from China left poor impressions so to be frank, there was an assumption that the GS3 would lack refinement. But just as the Japanese cars of the 1980s were a big difference from those of the 1960s, it’s the same with the GS3. It feels as good as any modern car from a Japanese or Korean brand, and if you strip it of its branding identity, you would not think it is from China.
The engine also ran smoothly and though it lacked forcefulness without a turbocharger, the output 150 ps is good enough to give brisk acceleration and maintain high speeds easily. Remembering how the engines in those old Chinse cars didn’t take kindly to hard driving, we pushed the GS3’s engine hard using the manual mode to stay in each gear and the engine never felt like it was going to ‘explode’. In fact, though there were vibrations at higher revs, they were not the erratic type. Noise levels were also not particularly high and it could be that insulation is also generous.
The transmission operates smoothly and you can choose a default mode, litre-stretching ECO mode or a manual mode. We didn’t feel a big difference in the ECO mode though but it would probably help over long distances. The shifter has a rocker switch for changing gears up or down sequentially. However, this only works when in manual mode and not in the default or ECO modes. We think that manual selection should be available in all modes so that the driver can downshift for engine braking, reducing the need to use the brakes.
Driving the GS3 is no different in feel from a Japanese or Korean car (or even a Malaysian one). It has a pleasant ride although the standard tyres (from some Chinese manufacturer) seemed a bit on the hard side, even after the pressures had been set to what was recommended. Perhaps when it is locally assembled, more testing will be done and tyres better suited to our road conditions will be fitted.
With its compact size, the SUV has an agile feel and even when pushed hard around corners, it stays the course without drama. Of course, you don’t get a car like this for ‘dramatic’ driving and as an urban runabout, it certainly does that job well. It comes with a reverse camera as well so parking should be easy, and being a SUV, you sit higher up of course.
As for scheduled maintenance, the intervals are 10,000 kms or 6 months (whichever occurs first) and up to the first 100,000 kms, the RM63 labour charge for every alternate service will be waived. Maintenance costs (depending on mileage) will be between RM182 and RM815, the latter cost on just one occasion at 60,000 kms when the timing belt is changed. Aftersales support will be available through WTCA’s own outlets, with additional support from the Tan Chong network which is well established and nationwide. And you also get a warranty that is 5 years long or a maximum of 150,000 kms.
If the GS3 is an example of the standard that Chinese carmakers have reached today, then the other East Asian carmakers (and Malaysian ones too) will have strong additional rivals in future. We can’t say much about durability and reliability at this stage. Those early Datsuns also seemed like they were fragile and would not last long but they eventually became known for their reliability and durability which made them a household name. What’s to say that GAC products won’t go the same way?
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has a long history of being a good corporate citizen, having contributed in various ways to different communities. The latest initiative is the donation of high-power solar systems to the Orang Asli community. This will provide electricity to them which can improve the quality of their lives.
The solar systems, which will be used at the Orang Asli’s Rumah Adat (shared community space), were donated through Global Peace Foundation, a non-profit non-government organization with a mission to build resilient and cohesive Orang Asli communities.
Lack of access to grid electricity in Orang Asli’s houses and community spaces brings health risks, expensive energy expenses, and environmental impact. To have light after dark, bonfires are frequently created by burning dried palm fruits but these generate a lot of smoke that causes cough and watery eyes among the villagers, and is unhealthy for children especially.
In addition, houses and community spaces are built from resources in the forest such as bamboo wood and additional items such as zinc and PVC. Some of these materials are flammable, making it dangerous to use fire as the source of light.
Some Orang Asli families also rely on disposable energy such as petrol to run generators and batteries to power more than just lights. The petrol, apart from being added cost, can also be hazardous to store.
Children would also have difficulty studying at night with no light or poor light, and activities are limited. By having more and better lighting, there can be more productive hours in the evening for house chores. The electricity from the solar systems can also be used for freezers and for charging mobilephones and other electrical equipment.
“As part of Malaysian society, we want to see Malaysians even the indigenous community live a better life. With high-power solar systems, we will be providing the Orang Asli community access to affordable and renewable energy that enhances productivity- allowing community projects to continue even after dark, minimizing health and environmental impact from non-renewable energy, lessen environmental pollution, and lastly reducing energy expenditure from buying expensive energy sources that are not sustainable,” said Arba Rahman, Senior Vice-President of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
“This effort is together with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation global CSR program ‘STEP to the future’ which focuses on four main themes, standing for the first letters of Society, Traffic safety, Environment, and People. At MMM, we are focused to benefit the society through emphasis on the Environment and People, to create a better society where people can hope for a better future,” he added.
Casio is today a household name, with its G-SHOCK range being especially well known not just for its rugged and high-tech looks but also genuine ruggedness. The G-SHOCK range of watches has models in various price segments from low to very high. At the very top is the flagship line known as the MR-G series. This series was introduced in 1996 when the resin watches had become very successful. The Casio team decided to create a metal watch which would be of extremely high quality and be prestigious enough for formal occasions.
This year, the flagship series gets a new model – the MRG-B5000 – which is the first in the series to feature the iconic design of the original G-SHOCK watch introduced in 1983. Available in black or silver, the watch has a recommended retail price from RM15,500 in Malaysia. The pricetag is not unusual for a MR-G model which has had watches costing as much as RM308,000 (the G-D5000-9JR in 18K gold).
Here’s why the MRG-B5000 is so expensive. For starters, it is made with cutting-edge metals finished with master polishing craftsmanship. In order to apply sophisticated polished finishes to even the tiniest corners of the complex bezel form – which is made of 25 different components – Casio’s specialists developed the new Multi-Guard Structure with many incorporates shock-absorbent parts.
The new structure in the multi-component bezel ensures superior shock-resistance while also allowing polished finishes to be applied to each individual component, down to the most challenging spots, for a beautiful finish.
The band employs a special structure as well: separate pins are embedded in round holes in each metal link to allow detailed polishing for an equally beautiful finish on the band. As with other MR-G watches, the MRG-B5000 is crafted on the high-end Premium Production Line at Casio’s main factory in Japan.
Complementing the quality of the master polishing craftsmanship is COBARION, a material which has a hardness about 4 times that of pure titanium and a brilliant gleam comparable to platinum. It is used for the top surface of the bezel, offering not just aesthetic appeal but also strength..
The band is made with DAT55G, a titanium alloy that is both about 3 times harder than pure titanium and highly workable, making it scratch-resistant so the mirror finish will be long-lasting.
Like all G-SHOCK watches, the MRG-B5000 has many time-keeping functions as well as 5 alarms. It can be used in water to depths of 200 metres.
Besides the good looks, the MRG-B5000 features radio-controlled calibration and Bluetooth/Smartphone Link connectivity. The watch connects with the dedicated Casio smartphone app to automatically adjust to the correct time. 5 world times can be selected from 39 cities (time zones) which would be convenient for the global traveller.
It also comes equipped with a solar charging system and can operate for about 22 months (with the power saving function) after being full charged. It high-brightness LED light is a fully automatic backlight (Super Illuminator) with and afterglow that can be set for 2 or 4 seconds to fade in/fade out.
Following the first round of the NEOM Island X-Prix on the island of Sardinia in Italy last week, the second round of the same event this weekend saw Rosberg X Racing (RXR) taking a with a late overtake to secure their second victory of Extreme E Season 2. X44 finished second and Genesys Andretti United Extreme E third after ABT CUPRA XE were disqualified following a safety infringement.
With team owner Nico Rosberg watching his team’s progress, a superb pass by Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky on ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt sealed the win. Ahlin-Kottulinsky, and team-mate Johan Kristoffersson, who headed the standings prior to the double-header on the island off the coast of Italy, now have a lead of 37 points ahead of their nearest challengers No.99 GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing, with X44 now up to third.
RXR also scored maximum points from Round 3, with the quickest combined time in the Continental Traction Challenge adding 5 points to their tally, bringing their total overall to 80 points.
“It is such a pleasure for me to work with this team. It reminds me of my F1 days. It’s been a great team effort with everyone giving their best and being at the height of their game. Both drivers have been performing at an incredibly high level. Johan was the star of Race 1 in NEOM. Mikaela was the star of this weekend with her speed and incredible pass for the win through the water during the last lap. I couldn’t be prouder, said former F1 world champion Rosberg.
“It was a phenomenal weekend for us, starting with a good qualifying and we were also very fast in the super sector. The car felt amazing all week and we have got to thank the team for that. They worked very hard, and it paid off. My run was smooth, but Nasser was incredibly fast, so I just tried to stay as close as possible to him to give Mikaela the best possible basis for her run, and she made good use of it with a fantastic move. It’s a team achievement that we can all be proud of,” added Kristoffersson.
The scene was set for a thrilling climax to the double-header as ABT CUPRA XE’s Al-Attiyah lined up in the favoured number 2 spot between Timmy Hansen (Genesys Andretti United Extreme E) and Sebastien Loeb (X44). On the other end of the start line, Kristofferson was joined by Carlos Sainz (ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team), following their dramatic collision in last round’s Final. In that incident, RXR received a 30-second penalty that pushed the team from first to third.
As the teams set off, Sainz (father of the Ferrari F1 driver) experimented by taking his electrically-powered ODYSSEY 21 down the furthest possible lane on the right, away from Kristofferson’s car. The Spaniard’s gamble did not pay off, and he came out at the back of the pack as the cars merged into the single lane.
Meanwhile, Al-Attiyah stayed on the preferred line which proved the better one as he surged to the front of the group. Kristofferson kept the ABT CUPRA car in sight, followed by Loeb. After the 3 leading cars was Hansen holding fourth as he chased them along the rough and muddy course.
The ABT CUPRA XE driver picked his lines well and opened by a gap of 5 seconds, which was the same gap that Kristofferson had with Loeb. Further back, Sainz’ car had a problem and the ACCIONA | SAINZ XE car dropped off the back of the pack and eventually come to a stop out on track.
It was still a 4-way battle as the leading cars entered the Switch Zone until disaster struck for ABT CUPRA XE. During the mandatory driver switch, Jutta Kleinschmidt failed to properly buckle her seatbelt as she entered the car. This would later lead to the team’s disqualification from the Final, after they finished second on the course. ABT CUPRA’S loss of the lead occurred when an incredible overtake was done by from RXR’s Ahlin-Kottulinsky in the closing stages of the race.
ABT CUPRA XE’s disqualification also promoted X44 into second and secured Genesys Andretti United Extreme E the third place, their first top three finish of the season. It was a huge boost for both teams after a difficult start to the Sardinian double-header.
During the drivers’ briefing, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel walked out of the room and officials deemed that he had ‘left without permission’ and therefore committed an offence under the regulations. As a result, he was handed a suspended fine of 25,000 euros which will be held for the rest of the 2022 season. Vettel’s action was prompted by frustration as drivers sought explanations for inconsistent decision-making by race officials.
Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton also had a worrying moment 15 minutes before the start of the 71-lap race as there seemed to be a problem that brought mechanics running to his car as it was parked on the starting grid. But they managed to get it fixed (believed to be the brakes) in time.
The starting positions for the race were determined by the finishing order of the Sprint Race yesterday and of the 19 cars that took part (Alpine’s Fernando Alonso retired before the race started), the top four finished in the same order as the Qualifying session.This put two Ferraris behind poleman and championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. It was going to be interesting seeing if the Ferrari team had decided to continue letting their two drivers fight each other if the situation arose (as it did during the Sprint race).
Verstappen got a clean and smooth start but Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) left the track at Turn 3 and that allowed Mercedes-AMG’s George Russell to slip ahead. But at Turn 4, the British driver came inb contact with Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez and the Mexican’s car slid into the gravel although he was able to keep going but dropped to the end of the field. The incident had the attention of the Stewards who would review it and later give Russell a 5-second time penalty.
The contact caused damage to Russell’s car and he was having understeer. Vettel too reported damage on his car. Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher again tangled with Hamilton and took his seventh place – which might mean the world champion would go through the same frustrations he had in the Sprint race. Meanwhile, at the front, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was right on Verstappen’s tail and looking to displace the Dutchman from the lead.
Leclerc had DRS but the Red Bull Racing car was superior in straight line speed. But without Perez nearby, Verstappen would have to stay focussed against two Ferraris right behind him as Sainz had also closed in.
Russell came in on lap 12 to serve his 5-second penalty and during that time, he also got a new rear wing. But it costs him many places and he was down to 19th when he rejoined the race.
On lap 13, Verstappen came in to switch to hards and Leclerc took over the lead. When the Red Bull driver rejoined, he was down in fifth, behind Hamilton and about 20 seconds behind Leclerc. But as drivers ahead began to also come in, Verstappen was able to move upwards quickly and was in fourth (still behind Hamilton) by lap 17. The gap to the front was still a double-digit time.
By lap 20, Verstappen was able to get past Hamilton easily into third place, though still 19 seconds behind Sainz who, in turn, was 4 second behind his team mate. Further down, there was a battle for sixth place between Yuki Tsunoda (Scuderia Alphatauri), Zhou GuanYu (Alfa Romeo) and Alonso as well as his Alpine team mate, Esteban Ocon.
On lap 25, Leclerc left the track to enter the pits, along with Perez whose sidepod damage forced retirement at that point, Sainz was in the lead when Leclerc rejoined just ahead of Hamilton. Then Sainz came in and it was Verstappen in the lead again but Leclerc was closing in fast too.
When Hamilton finally came in, he was delayed by a problem with the wheel, and when he rejoined, he was behind Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Ocon. He had to work hard again to get back his original position but that’s what he’s paid such a huge salary for anyway. Meanwhile, team mate Russel was duelling with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo for ninth place.
Lap 33 saw Leclerc finally getting past Verstappen who (from radio exchanges) seemed to be having some issues with inconsistent tyre grip. And the Dutchman had also to watch out for Sainz who was coming up from behind as well. Not taking chances, Verstappen quickly headed to the pits on lap 36 to change tyres and managed to get back into the race in third place, with a 25-second gap from Hamilton.
Lap 40 saw yellow flags coming out as Vettel went off into the gravel after a collision with Scuderia Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly (for which Gasly would get a 5-second penalty). But the Aston Martin was able to get out although Vettel was down to 17th.
The Stewards were obviously keeping a close eye on the cars in the corners and many drivers receive warnings and penalties for going over the track limits. At the front, Leclerc was clearly the faster of the two Ferrari drivers, with Sainz about 5 seconds behind and then a gap of 17 seconds to Verstappen. 24 laps remained.
Both Leclerc and Sainz gave up the front positions as they came into the pits, allowing Verstappen to lead the race. But it was not going to be easy to stay there because Leclerc had been quick to get back out and was right on the back of Verstappen within half a lap – and one lap later, he recaptured the lead.
Hamilton was fourth and came in on lap 52 for medium tyres, retaining his position as the next car with Ocon in it was some distance back. With 17 laps to go, what was the strategy for Sainz? It was uncertain if he would pit again so the Ferrari man stayed within striking distance.
Sainz was pushing hard to catch Verstappen when, on lap 55, his car was on fire and he had to quickly come to a stop. The Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was activated as he managed to park in a safe spot, and many cars quickly shot into the pits. Lap 60 was coming up and Hamilton was able to move up another position and look forward to standing on the podium. Behind him was Russell so the team could get another chunk of points today. The VSC was turned off with 11 laps remaining.
Leclerc was in the lead when the VSC was turned off with 11 laps remaining. However, one lap later, he was on the radio reporting that the throttle felt like it was sticky and the engineers quickly looked at the data. They assured him that all was well; his engine was fresher than the one in Sainz’ car so he did not have to be so worried though he had to watch his foot pressure.
With 6 laps remaining, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas put in a stronger effort to get into the top ten for points and managed to grab it from Williams Racing’s Alex Albon. The Thai driver then dropped another place as Alonso also swept past him in Turn 5.
The final few laps must have been very tense for Leclerc as his throttle was not working properly and then he found that downshifts were not being executed. Could the power unit hold on just a little bit more, even as Verstappen was pressuring him? Verstappen got within 2 seconds just as the finish line came into sight and it was Leclerc who took the chequered flag to win the Austrian GP this year.
