By Joe Murphy
Max Verstappen won another sprint race, this time at Red Bull’s home track as he successfully kept the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind him after 23 laps of the Red Bull Ring.
Lando had the lead, albeit for a single straight, but once Piastri jumped him teammate, it was relative plain sailing for the Dutchman, who extends his lead at the top of the standings. The Australian managed to hold off Lando to claim second, with the other McLaren having to settle for third.
Behind them was a battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, where George Russell managed to overtake Carlos Sainz, although teammate Lewis Hamilton wasn’t so successful in his pursuit, and had to settle for 6th. Charles Leclerc just about held on to the battling trip ahead, to cross the line in seventh as Sergio Perez claimed the final point in eighth, notably distant behind.
Aside from the early action out front, not much appeared to happen in the latter stages. There was an Alpine battle that turned into nothing, as Daniel Ricciardo completed some overtakes right at the back.
What was interesting is Lando did seem to have the pace over Verstappen. What’s clear is that, subject to qualifying later today, the World Champion won’t have it his own way this weekend.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 