Max Verstappen has produced an impressive defensive display to hold off McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and win the sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Norris briefly wrested the lead off triple world champion Verstappen on the fifth of 23 laps at a sun-cooked Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on Saturday.
But Verstappen swatted Norris aside at the next corner before crossing the line 4.6 seconds clear of Australian Piastri with Norris having to settle for third.
Piastri said he made the most of the early duel between Verstappen and Norris up front but that he “just didn’t quite have the pace in the second half” of the race.
“I was hoping I would get both but just bided my time and tried my best,” said Piastri.
“I think I had probably one opportunity to try to get Max the lap after but just didn’t quite have the pace after that.”
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, one place ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Lewis Hamilton started sixth and finished in the same position.
Verstappen’s win extended his lead in the world championship standings from 69 points to 71 ahead of qualifying later on Saturday to determine the grid for Sunday’s 71-lap Grand Prix.
“That was spicy, but a good result,” said Verstappen on the radio.
Verstappen beat Norris to pole by just 0.093 seconds before keeping the McLaren man behind him on the short blast to the opening corner.
Rather than taking on Verstappen, Norris had his mirrors occupied by teammate Piastri with the Briton forced to go defensive at Turns 3 and 4.
By the end of the opening lap, Verstappen held a nine-tenths advantage over Norris but the 24-year-old from Glastonbury was able to keep in DRS range.
On lap three, Norris was crawling all over the back of Verstappen’s Red Bull and the championship leader had to place his machine on the apexes of the third and fourth bends to keep his rival at bay.
Norris had another look around the outside of Verstappen at Turn 4 on the next tour, only for his rival to deliver another impressive rearguard showing.
On to lap five and Norris launched his McLaren down the inside of Verstappen at the third bend to take the lead.
But Norris carried too much speed into the corner, allowing Verstappen to carry the momentum into Turn 4 and fight his way back ahead.
Piastri was also able to scramble past Norris as the Englishman suddenly dropped from first to third.
Piastri was unable to match Verstappen’s speed and, as the Dutchman extended his lead, the spotlight turned to the battle for second between the two McLaren team-mates.
Norris kept Piastri honest until the chequered flag but could not find a way past, finishing seven tenths adrift.
Source Agencies
