Austrian Grand Prix: Verstappen reigns supreme as Leclerc, Perez finish on podium

Max Verstappen recorded a clean sweep in the Austrian Grand Prix to edge closer to a third successive Championship title, with Charles Leclerc finishing second and Sergio Perez claiming third.

After a dominant showing at the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen returned to action in Austria and immediately settled into his rhythm, emerging with the fastest qualifying time to secure pole position. He then won the Sprint race on Saturday, with teammate Perez in second and Carlos Sainz in third place.

Starting from pole at the Red Bull Racing Ring, Verstappen started the race impressively, holding onto his lead until the 25th lap when he had to pit and Leclerc took the lead off him. He emerged in third place behind Leclerc and teammate Sainz.

One lap later, Verstappen overtook Sainz to claim second place and pursue Leclerc, who he managed to overtake in the 35th lap of the race. He held on to his lead until the end of the race while teammate Perez managed to make it to P3 and finish the race in a podium place. Leclerc finished in second place to record a podium finish for the first time since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Sainz finished in fourth place while Driver of the Day Lando Norris was fifth. Fernando Alonso was sixth, Lewis Hamilton was seventh, George Russell finished eighth, Pierre Gasly was ninth and Lance Stroll took the final points of the Austrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen recorded his fifth win on the bounce and his seventh in nine races this year. The Dutchman has also won 42 races in his career after his latest success. The Formula One season continues in Britain with the British Grand Prix on July 9th.