Red Bull driver Max Verstappen started in pole position in front of the home fans at the Red Bull ring in Spielberg, Austria. However, it was a day to forget for the home team.
Already on the first lap, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez drove Mercedes driver George Russel together. The Mexican was able to continue driving but was forced to break the race a while later.
Verstappen himself was overtaken by Charles Leclerc in the red Ferrari. Leclerc managed to keep away from the Dutchman who never really came close and the victory was not very threatened despite worries with a troublesome accelerator.
For Ferrari colleague Carlos Sainz, however, the race did not end as well. The Spaniard was in third place when he discovered that something was seriously wrong with the car. After parking, the car quickly caught fire and Sainz had to hurry out to avoid serious injuries.
Third place was taken instead by Lewis Hamilton in his bouncing Mercedes. Leclerc’s victory means that he is now approaching Verstappen in the battle for the World Cup victory.