Max Verstappen claims Austrian Sprint Grand Prix for Red Bull to extend lead at top of F1 standings

Max Verstappen led from the front as he won Saturday’s Sprint Race at the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen lined up on pole at the Red Bull Ring, ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez and McLaren’s Lando Norris in third. Ad Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton started well down, in 18th on the grid.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was punished for blocking McLaren’s Oscar Piastri during the shootout qualifying, and he was bumped down to ninth from sixth. Austrian Grand PrixHamilton satisfied with P5 at Austrian GP, eyes Mercedes improvement in Sprint7 HOURS AGO Verstappen moved swiftly into a commanding lead and in initially wet conditions, though there was an early and risky tussle with Perez in the first two corners but the pair emerged unscathed. Hamilton powered through to 13th as he dealt with some of the slower cars.

With 17 laps done, the track had started to dry out in the areas the cars tended to favour, and most drivers went into the pits in order to change onto quicker dry tyres. That left the finishing front three of Verstappen, Perez in second, and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari in third, on the intermediates as they cruised to their respective podium spots. Hamilton satisfied with P5 at Austrian GP, eyes Mercedes improvement in Sprint Horner frustrated as Perez fails to 'stay in the white lines' in latest qualifying flop Verstappen takes Austrian GP pole ahead of Leclerc and Sainz Hamilton finished in 10th spot, Leclerc in 12th, and George Russell in eighth.

Speaking after the race, Perez and Verstappen revealed they had discussed the incident between them. The Mexican said: «I think Max was angry that I went into Turn 2 but I didn't see him there. Once I realised he was there I opened the door and gave back the place.