2021 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix: Round nine wrap

Formula One was back in Austria at the Red Bull Ring for round nine of the championship and it was Max Verstappen who was victorious, winning back to back races at the Ring.

Max managed a strong start leading into turn one, while Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez quickly began to battle for third position. However, any battles were cut short with an early safety car called on the first lap as Esteban Ocon copped a knock from Antonio Giovinazzi.

Those on the softer tyres pitted early, including Giovinazzi, Gasly, Stroll and Tsunoda, with a two-stop strategy in mind. The remainder of the field on a one-stop strategy began their pit stops on lap 30.

Daniel Ricciardo rolled in first, with his teammate Lando Norris heading in on lap 31. However, after a battle with Sergio Perez, Lando was handed a five second time penalty, which moved him down to fourth position following the round of pit stops. Mercedes made its stops on lap 31 and 32, while Red Bull responded by pitting straight after.

Lando Norris managed to reclaim a podium position back by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on lap 48. It was the same lap where Lewis made another stop for a fresh set of hard tyres. The reigning champion also suffered some damage to his car in the late stages of the race and had to settle for fourth.

Ricciardo did a stellar job heading through the field and capitalising on the undercut. He managed to finish seventh after starting in 13th. Sainz had a strong result with a sixth-place finish, while his teammate in Charles Leclerc finished in eighth.

Plenty of penalties were handed out throughout the field, with two given to Sergio Perez following battles with Charles Leclerc. He still crossed the line in sixth.

Worth a mention: Fernando Alonso and George Russell were part of a battle at the end of the race finishing in 10th and 11th, with Russell ever so close to collecting his points for Williams.

But it was Max Verstappen who clocked up yet another victory, winning back to back at the Red Bull Ring. Next, F1 heads to Great Britain and Max Verstappen will go into round ten with a 32-point lead in that championship.

Haas and Williams remain pointless in the constructors standings, while Red Bull extends its lead over Mercedes.

Did not finish: Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel

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