Max Verstappen withstood a fierce early challenge from the McLarens to win the Austrian GP Sprint for Red Bull.
Verstappen led away from pole but came under big pressure from Lando Norris in the early laps with the McLaren driver making a bold move to seize the lead at the start of lap five in to the uphill Turn Three.
But Norris’ lead lasted only one corner as he was immediately re-passed by Verstappen and then, to compound matters, team-mate Oscar Piastri too as the Briton lost momentum out of the turn.
Piastri then held on to second over Norris over the remainder of the 23-lap race, with Verstappen eventually breaking out of DRS zone and edging away to win by a more comfortable 4.6-second margin.
“I messed it up and left the door open like an amateur,” admitted Norris, who has been feeling unwell in recent weeks, on the move that saw him re-passed by Verstappen.
“Some things to improve but we are there and can definitely give them a fight [in Sunday’s Grand Prix].”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held off Lando Norris to remain out in front at the start of the Sprint.
George Russell was fourth for Mercedes after recovering from losing position to Carlos Sainz at the start, although the Ferrari driver stayed ahead of Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
Charles Leclerc gained three places from his disappointing grid position to finish seventh, one at the expense of Sergio Perez whose poor run in the second Red Bull continued in eighth.
Verstappen’s latest victory – his third in the three Sprint events so far this season and his 10th in the short-form format overall – adds two extra points on to his world championship lead over Norris to give him a 71-point advantage.
Focus now turns to the main event of the full-length Grand Prix itself, with qualifying live at 3pm on Sky Sports F1.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Austrian GP schedule
Saturday June 29
12.25pm: F2 Sprint
2pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Austrian GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 30
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up*
2pm: The AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s triple-header continues with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s big race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
