Austrian GP Sprint: Max Verstappen wins after thrilling battle with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez

Max Verstappen leads Sergio Perez in Red Bull one-two following thrilling battle between team-mates on opening lap of Sprint; Carlos Sainz takes third for Ferrari; watch the Austrian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 at 2pm on Sunday, with build-up from 12:30pm

Max Verstappen claimed victory in the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint after seeing off the bold challenge of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez during a thrilling first-lap battle.

World championship leader Verstappen started ahead of his team-mate on the front row but there was almost embarrassment for Red Bull at their home Grand Prix as the duo twice came close to making contact on the opening lap.

Perez got off the line better than Verstappen and passed the Dutchman into the first corner, before Verstappen hit back at Turn 3, with both coming on team radio to express their dissatisfaction at each other’s driving.

Perez, who has been on a dismal run of form since winning two of the first four races in a strong start to the season, lost a place to Nico Hulkenberg on the exit of Turn 3, but would later regain the position to ensure a Red Bull one-two.

Carlos Sainz advanced from fifth to claim the final podium spot, with Lance Stroll holding off Aston Martin team-mate Fernando Alonso for fourth.

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Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris got into a thrilling battle on lap 15 of the Sprint in the Austria Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg, who was the highest finisher of the cars that chose to switch from intermediate to dry tyres in the closing stages on the drying track, took sixth.

Esteban Ocon held off Mercedes’ George Russell, who benefited from being the first driver to switch to slicks, for seventh in a thrilling battle to the line.

The Brit secured the final point available in the 24-lap contest, with Verstappen taking his world championship lead over Perez to 70 points with victory.

The Dutchman will have the opportunity to further extend his advantage in Sunday’s race, as he starts on pole with Perez only 15th on the grid.

Austrian GP Sprint Result: Top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull (8 points)
2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull (7 points)
3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (6 points)
4) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (5 points)
5) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (4 points)
6) Nico Hulkenberg (3 points)
7) Esteban Ocon, Alpine (2 points)
8) George Russell, Mercedes (1 point)
9) Alexander Albon, Williams
10) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

More to follow…