Max Verstappen wins Austrian GP, extends general lead over Lewis Hamilton
Formula One championship chief Max Verstappen gained the Austrian Grand Prix from pole place on Sunday, clinching a 3rd straight victory and lengthening his lead over title rival Lewis Hamilton to 32 factors after 9 races.
It was Verstappen’s fifth win of the season in comparison with three for Hamilton, who dropped down from second place to fourth late on after going too broad on a flip and rolling over a kerb, damaging considered one of his tires.
The undisputed grasp of the Red Bull Ring 👌
Win quantity 14 for @Max33Verstappen!#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/CwRmAOybsm
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2021
His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas completed second forward of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who clinched the fourth podium of his profession on the identical observe the place he secured his first final yr.
The 2020 top-three end made him the youngest British driver on a podium and third-youngest general behind Lance Stroll and Verstappen. The ultra-consistent Norris is the one driver to have scored factors in each race this season.
Hamilton has not gained because the Spanish GP two months in the past, a dismal streak of 5 races for the defending champion in search of a file eighth F1 title. All of these have gone to Red Bull, with Sergio Perez taking the opposite.
This was one other crushing success for Verstappen on on the Red Bull ring, his crew’s dwelling observe and with hundreds of his orange-shirted followers cheering on his fifteenth profession win. He additionally gained right here final weekend on the Styrian GP.
MAX: “Today was unbelievable to be sincere, the automotive was on rails! It was actually pleasant to drive. You go into the weekend because the favorite, nevertheless it’s by no means simple to do.
“It was insane to see all the fans and so much orange!”#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/hVFJrTF2nT
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 4, 2021
Verstappen clinched his third straight pole on Saturday and bought away cleanly once more for one more lights-to-flag win, the best way Hamilton has so usually carried out.
An excellent day for him and his adoring followers was accomplished by a bonus level for the quickest lap.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s watch for a 99th F1 win continues and he’ll hope for a change of fortune on the British GP in Silverstone in two weeks’ time.
