Max Verstappen did it again: winning the Austrian Grand Prix for a fourth time - a new Formula 1 record - and sealing his seventh win of the 2023 season.The Dutchman driver crossed the finish line just over 5 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, in third.Each of the three drivers drove impeccably, especially Perez, who started in 15th place after a torrid qualifying on Friday.With the win, Verstappen is now enjoying an 81-point advantage over teammate Perez as the drivers occupy the top two slots on the championship table after 10 of 22 rounds.
Does this mean Verstappen is already looking ahead to a third successive title in as many years?"I don't like to think about that yet," he said."I am just enjoying driving this car and racing for this team.
The sprint weekend can be very stressful, so I'm just glad it all went to plan."If one includes the 2020 Styrian GP, hosted on the Red Bull Ring during the Covid season, then Verstappen has five wins at the venue.
Regardless, the two-time defending champion has 42 F1 victories, having matched Ayrton Senna last time in Canada.The King of the Ring ??Max achieves his 42nd win in total, and his 5th in Austria! ??#AustrianGP #F1 @Max33Verstappen @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/iOzW7sYDQu Is Ferrari back? Though Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz looked incredibly strong around the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, it does beg the question if Ferrari is back.