Max Verstappen beats teammate Sergio Perez to win Austrian GP sprint race

SPIELBERG, Austria: Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen continued his dominant form by winning the sprint at the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday to extend his championship lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 70 points. It was Verstappen’s fifth straight win when including the past four Grand Prix races. Verstappen starts the full race from pole position on Sunday, when he will aim for a 42nd career GP win.

Verstappen collected eight points in the sprint — which he also won here last year — and Perez got seven for finishing second. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. collected six points with third place in the 24-lap sprint.

Aston Martin’s Lance stroll took fourth place (five points) ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso (four points), Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg (three points), Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (two) and Mercedes driver George Russell (one). In wet and rainy conditions at the Spielberg track, Perez jumped past Verstappen at the start. “The start wasn’t ideal,” Verstappen said.

“A bit of wheel spin.” After Verstappen and Perez almost bumped into each other, Perez then dropped back to third behind Hulkenberg and Verstappen, who regained the lead. “We could have had a really big shunt,” Verstappen said over team radio of the near miss with Perez. “We need to have a chat about that.” They did just that, clearing the air moments after climbing out of their cars.

Verstappen said they discussed the matter “like human beings” for a couple of minutes and that it was no big deal. “We talked about it and it’s all good,” Verstappen said. “We don’t need to make it a big story.