5 talking points after the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix

Finally, an occasion where Vettel beat Hamilton, if not on the podium

F1 Grand Prix of Austria

Sebastian Vettel didn't exactly have a ball in Austria- isn't it? The experienced driver, who secured a fighting third at the venue last year began the 71-lap run from a lowly tenth this time around.

This was owing to a technical glitch that hampered his qualification lap on Saturday. Yet the driver in his SF 90 persisted and emerged with a very respectable fourth, in the end, finishing just behind Valtteri Bottas.

But interestingly, at a time where much of the race was being dictated by the two powerful frontrunners- Verstappen and Leclerc- Vettel was fighting his own battle for fourth. And one would see him fight hard against Lewis Hamilton, who was, until Lap 70, holding on well for fourth.

This is exactly when Vettel came along on the penultimate lap and changed the course of the narrative. Heading onto the main straights, Vettel dived down on the outside of the defending world champion and claimed the fourth place on the grid, a position from which he wouldn't relent until the checkered flag.

It was clear to see Lewis Hamilton suffering from tyre ware, thus making it difficult for him to defend from the Ferrari driver.