Verstappen wins thrilling Austrian Grand Prix sprint race
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen emerged victorious in a dramatic sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix, overcoming a spirited challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Verstappen, the championship leader and three-time world champion, capitalized on a home crowd advantage at the Red Bull Ring. Despite initially conceding the lead to Norris in the opening laps, Verstappen fought back fiercely to retake control of the race. This marked his third sprint win of the season, his fifth consecutive, and his 10th in 15 contests overall. He finished a comfortable 4.6 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and 5.3 seconds clear of Norris, who faded after his early surge.
“I had a good first lap,” Verstappen commented. He acknowledged the initial struggle but emphasized his focus on maintaining control and securing the win. “We have a few things to think about for tomorrow,” he added, hinting at potential strategy adjustments for the main Grand Prix.
The remainder of the top-ten included George Russell (Mercedes) in fourth, followed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in sixth. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) finished seventh, with Sergio Perez (Red Bull), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) rounding out the top ten.
The race was met with enthusiastic cheers from Verstappen’s devoted “orange army” in the grandstands, particularly when he reclaimed the lead from Norris. High track temperatures in the Styrian Alps presented a challenge for all drivers, forcing them to manage their tires strategically throughout the 23-lap sprint.
Following a strong start from pole position, Verstappen initially held the lead from Norris and Piastri. The McLarens, however, displayed impressive pace throughout the early stages, keeping the top three positions tightly contested. On lap five, Norris managed to overtake Verstappen, but the Dutchman responded swiftly, regaining the lead at the next corner. This allowed Piastri to capitalize on the momentum swing and take second place.
Norris, reportedly feeling unwell before the race, struggled to maintain his early pace and was ultimately overtaken by teammate Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell. Meanwhile, Hamilton steadily closed the gap on Sainz, but the Spaniard held firm. Leclerc, starting from tenth, managed to climb to seventh but wasn’t able to make further progress.
Verstappen regained control after retaking the lead and steadily extended his advantage, ultimately securing a comfortable victory. With the sprint race concluded, all eyes now turn to the main Grand Prix qualifying session, taking place later on Saturday.
(Source: AFP)
