Charles Leclerc of Ferrari wins Austrian Granprix

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari passed title rival Max Verstappen three times on his way to victory in the Austrian Grand Prix and cut Verstappen’s championship lead to 38 points. Carlos Sainz was on course to make it a Ferrari one-two before he suffered an engine failure with 14 laps to go. Leclerc had a sticking throttle in the final 10 laps, as Verstappen came back at him but held on. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is second in the standings. Lewis Hamilton is third for Mercedes after starting eight for his third podium finish in a row and team-mate George Russell in fourth place.

The Ferrari sticking throttle the accelerator was not returning to zero when Leclerc lifted off which was also affecting his gearbox as it refused to make some shifts because of the initial problem. Leclerc managed his nerves to take his first win since Melbourne, as Ferrari’s speed returned. Leclerc tracked. Verstappen from lap one before overtaking him down the inside of Turn Three on lap 10. Leclerc pitted for the first time 13 laps later than Verstappen and emerged 6.2 seconds behind passing the Red Bull with ease just nine laps later. After Verstappen pitted for a second time three laps after losing the lead, Leclerc himself made a second stop again 13 laps after Verstappen. This time he emerged only 1.4 secs adrift and passed Verstappen for the lead again four laps later.

Verstappen now had to fend off Sainz who was closing in on the Red Bull when his engine failed on lap 57.

All three top finishers had each been handed a suspended 10, 000 euro (£8,599) fine after their assistants entered parc Ferme against regulations after the race, to prevent handing over of items to the drivers prior to them being weighed.