Sprint Race Report - Verstappen wins again

Max Verstappen
© Red Bull

By Mark Karp

Max Verstappen after starting from pole, won the Austrian GP Sprint Race, in his Red Bull-Honda. Oscar Piastri in the McLaren-Mercedes was second, 4.616 seconds behind. His team mate Lando Norris finished third, 5.348 seconds behind.

George Russell (8.354s) in the Mercedes GP was fourth, followed by Carlos Sainz (9.989s) in the Ferrari was fifth, Lewis Hamilton (11.207s) in the second Mercedes was sixth, Charles Leclerc (13.424s) in the second Ferrari was seventh, Sergio Perez (17.409s) in the second Red Bull was eighth, and took the final point.

Kevin Magnussen was ninth, Lance Stroll was tenth, Esteban Ocon 11th, Pierre Gasly was 12th, Yuki Tsondoda 13th, Nico Hulkenberg 14th, Daniel Riccirado was 15th. Fernando Alonso, Logan Sargeant, Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou completed the finishers. No drivers fell out of the race.

With a hot day upon us for the Sprint Race, Verstappen on pole with Norris alongside on the front row, Piastri and Russell on row 2, Sainz and Hamilton on row 3, Perez and Ocon on row 4, and Gasly and Leclerc rounding out the top ten. All drivers on medium tyres.

At noon local time the field came around on the formation lap and lined up on the grid and the start is aborted.

The field sets out again for another formation lap. The field lines up on the grid for a second time, the lights went off and the race began with Verstappen out front into the first corner, Norris and Piastri fighting over second place.

Sainz passes Russell for four.

One lap 2 Verstappen leads Norris, followed by Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Magnussen and Stroll in tenth.

On lap 3 Norris is close on the tail on Verstappen, with Piastri right behind.

On lap 5 Norris dives down the inside of Verstappen and takes the lead. Then Verstappen battles back and retakes the lead. Piastri makes a run and tales second from Norris.

On lap 8 Russell passes Sainz for fourth place.

At half distance Verstappen leads Piatstri, Norris, Russell, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Perez, Magnussen and Stroll in tenth place.

On lap 16 Verstappen leads Piastri by 2.5 seconds, with Norris 0.8s back.

Ricciardo passes Sargeant for 16th. Albon passes Zhou for 19th.

At the flag on lap 23, Verstappen wins over Piastri and Norris.