Max Verstappen dominates at Austrian Grand Prix, continues march toward third straight world title

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Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen continued his relentless march toward a third straight world title with another dominating win at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, far away from the chaos behind him as multiple drivers were given time penalties for going off track limits.

Verstappen started from pole position for the fourth straight race and notched his fifth straight win and seventh in nine races so far this season. He increased his championship lead to 81 points over his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

"I think our stints were perfect so a great day, I enjoyed it a lot," Verstappen said. "I am just enjoying driving this car and racing for this team."

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gestures after winning the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Red Bull Ring racetrack, in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, July 2, 2023.  (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

So much so that he even got his way to come in two laps from the end for a shot at the fastest lap, despite his team’s reluctance to take the risk. Typically, he got the bonus point for it on the final lap to complete a perfect weekend after his victory from pole in Saturday’s sprint race.

"From the outside maybe it looks like a big risk, but when you’re in the car it doesn’t feel like a risk at all," Verstappen said.

The victory also took the 25-year-old Dutchman onto 42 F1 wins overall, one ahead of the late Ayrton Senna and alone in fifth place on F1’s all-time list of winners.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc — last year's winner here — finished 5.2 seconds behind Verstappen in second place with Red Bull's