Verstappen takes back-to-back wins in stunning Austrian GP

Max Verstappen captured a stunning home victory at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. 

After losing several places on the first lap due to a horrific start, Verstappen fought back and gradually made his way to the front, picking off his rivals one by one until the chequered flag.

The Dutchman took the lead in his Red Bull Racing challenger with just two laps to go as he and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were engaged in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle.

His race-winning pass resulted in minor contact with Leclerc, but a post-race investigation from the stewards deemed that there was no further action necessary.

Leclerc had done a masterful job holding on to his lead from pole up until that point.

Verstappen triumphed in a total time of one hour 22 minutes 01.822 seconds. It was his second successive victory in Austria and it was his sixth overall in his career.

Leclerc was just 2.724 seconds behind, denied once again what appeared to be a certain victory for much of the race. Valtteri Bottas took the final podium step in third, a distant 18.960s from Verstappen.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was fourth 19.610s behind, while Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes came fifth 22.805s back in what was his first race of the season not to finish on the podium.

The rest of the top 10 finishers and points were Lando Norris of McLaren in sixth, Pierre Gasly in the other Red Bull in seventh, the Alfa Romeo tandem of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi in eighth and ninth, respectively, and Sergio Perez of Racing Point in 10th.

Following his win, Verstappen commented: “It was an incredible race and I’m so happy to take the Team’s second victory at our home Grand Prix.

“It was a shame at the start as I triggered anti-stall and dropped back to seventh. From there onwards the pace was really good, I stayed calm and kept pushing hard. The second stint was decisive for us as the car really came alive.

“Once I passed Valtteri I thought I could have a go for the win as our pace was so strong but you never know. I just kept pushing, drove flat out and didn’t give up.

“We passed Charles with a few laps to go so I’m extremely happy. The move was close racing and if you can’t make moves like that I think it is better to stay at home.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, all weekend we have been working really well and
the upgrades seem to have worked. Thank you to all the crew here, everyone at the factory and of course Honda, it’s not been easy for them over the past years but to win for them today is just incredible.”

Following the Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton continued to lead the Drivers’ Championship with 197 points, with Bottas in second on 166 and Verstappen third on 126. In the Constructors’ standings, Mercedes stay in first place with 363 points, followed by Ferrari on 228 and Red Bull on 169.

The Formula 1 season resumes with the British Grand Prix on July 14.