Austrian GP - Sprint Race

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Qatar Airways Austrian GP

Sprint Race 

June 29, 2024

Max Verstappen clinched his 10th Formula One sprint race victory by outpacing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a thrilling 23-lap duel at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.

Since the introduction of the shortened format in 2021, only four other drivers have managed to win a sprint race. Verstappen's triumph further widened his lead in the drivers' championship to 71 points.

Despite facing early pressure and briefly losing the lead to Norris on lap five, Verstappen executed a bold overtaking maneuver at Turn 4 to reclaim the top spot.

Following a tense battle, Verstappen managed to fend off Norris's attempts to overtake him on laps three and four, ultimately regaining the lead with a skillful move at Turn 4.

Norris's aggressive move on lap five initially saw him overtaking Verstappen, only to be swiftly overtaken by Verstappen, allowing Piastri to capitalize and secure second place.

Norris said "I had to make the most of my opportunity, "Then I messed it up and left the door open like an amateur!

He added "So, some things to improve, but we're there and we can definitely give them a fight tomorrow."

Verstappen eventually secured the win with a comfortable 4.6-second lead over Piastri, with Norris finishing just 0.7 seconds behind in third place.

Verstappen said. "A few exciting battles, but I think once we cleared the DRS [to Piastri] I could do a bit more my own race and then it looked all a bit better,"

"But you could see they have two cars, they are pushing flat out of course trying to make it difficult for me, and we had to work for it in that race.

"A few things to think about what we can do better for tomorrow especially, because tomorrow also is going to be even a longer race and harder on the tires, so it's going to be quite interesting to see how that will evolve." He said.

Mercedes' George Russell claimed fourth place after a battle with Carlos Sainz, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, Charles Leclerc in seventh, and Sergio Pérez securing the final point for Red Bull in eighth.

The race was shortened by one lap due to photographers in a restricted area at Turn One, resulting in an additional formation lap.

Qualifying for Sunday's full-length A

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Austrian GP 2024 F1 Sprint Race Result

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (26:41.389)

2. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (+4.616)

3. Lando Norris, McLaren (+5.348)

4. George Russell, Mercedes (+8.354)

5. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +9.989)

6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (+11.207)

7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +13.424)

8. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull (+17.409)

9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (+1:00.355)

10. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (+24.067)

11. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (+30.175)

12. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (+31.308)

13. Yuki Tsunoda, RB (++35.452)

14. Daniel Ricciardo, RB (+39.397)

15. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (+43.155)

16. Logan Sargeant, Williams (+44.076)

17. Alexander Albon, Williams +44.673)

18. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber (+46.511)

19. Nico Hülkenberg, Haas (+48.423 )

20. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber (+53.143)