Austrian Grand Prix - Verstappen won the sprint race, retained the first grid

The 24-year-old Verstappen won start-to-finish in the 23-lap race on Saturday, his direct rivals were not able to threaten his success, and thus increased his advantage in the World Cup points race. Behind the defending Dutch champion, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's Monaco driver, finished in second place, and Carlos Sainz Jr., the other Ferrari driver, finished third.

In Sunday's race, Verstappen and Leclerc can start from the front row, with Sainz and George Russell (Mercedes) starting from third and fourth place behind them.

Verstappen took the start well, but he was pressured first by Leclerc, who started next to him, and then by Sainz, who started from third position. The defending Dutch champion defended well and remained in the lead, while Sainz overtook Leclerc, but immediately lost the position, as his teammate from Monaco took it back from him. The field had to complete two lead-up laps, as first Fernando Alonso (Alpine) couldn't even start the warm-up lap, then there was a problem with Chou Kuan-yü's Alfa Romeo, but the Chinese driver was finally able to start from the pit lane after the field.

At the front, Verstappen was able to build his advantage undisturbed, while behind him a deadly fight began between the two Ferrari drivers, Leclerc and Sainz. Somewhat further back, exciting battles also took place, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), who started from 13th place, was already fifth after 13 laps, and the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) wanted to improve on his ninth position, and to this end he persistently chased those racing in front of him .

In the end, Verstappen confidently crossed the finish line first, followed in order by Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Pérez and Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who is preparing for his 100th Formula 1 Grand Prix. Hamilton improved one place to eighth.

The first eight places in the short-distance competition also collected world championship points, the winner 8, the second 7, the third 6, and the others 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points respectively.

The 71-lap Austrian Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 15:00 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay, mti)