Red Bull driver Max Verstappen completed the sweep of the doubles program featured on the Spielberg track by winning the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Dutchman extended his advantage in the Formula One championship to 32 points over Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. He leads the defending champion 5-3 for wins, 5-2 in pole positions.
Verstappen, who started from the pole position had an uneventful race in front of the rivals and edged Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas by 17.973 seconds at the finish line. Meanwhile McLaren driver Lando Norris completed the podium, ahead of fellow Mercedes driver Hamilton.
“It was incredible to be honest, the car was exceptional. The car was fun to drive, regardless of the tire type. It was a great effort from the whole team; the last two weeks have been amazing,” Verstappen said.
“When you go into the weekend and everyone sees you as a favourite, it’s not easy to deliver. I’m enjoying it, but I’m very focused for the rest of the season. It’s still very long.” Verstappen added.
Meanwhile Verstappen Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez had a hard racing on Sunday. The Mexican driver got a five-second penalty for nudging Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and finished sixth behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Jr.
“It was a good race, very exciting. I’m disappointed because we should have finished second. He (Perez) got off the track on his own, I didn’t push him so I’m frustrated.” Norris said.
“I could have kept the pace of Bottas even being in his wake so it’s nice to know that we are able to go up against them, this is the first time in a long time that we can fight with Mercedes and Red Bull,” Norris added.
The 10th Formula 1 round of the season will take place in two weeks at Silverstone, during the Great Britain Grand Prix.
