Max Verstappen was largely untroubled as he claimed a lights-to-flag victory in the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint.
The Red Bull driver repelled Charles Leclerc on the run to Turn 1 and eased away, leaving the two Ferraris to battle for second.
Despite a few wheel-to-wheel moments, it was Leclerc that stayed ahead as Carlos Sainz had to settle for third.
Sprint Review
Problems for Fernando Alonso before the start as his car was left raised up on the grid with his tyre blankets still on.
The cars set off on the formation lap…
Apart from Alonso whose tyre blankets haven’t been taken off in time.
He’ll be starting the race from the end of the pit lane. #AustrianGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/txBZuYs5Sh
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2022
The start was then aborted after Zhou Guanyu’s engine cut in his Alfa Romeo on the formation lap.
Once the lights went out, Verstappen defended heavily from Leclerc on the approach to Turn 1, allowing Sainz up the inside into second.
The Monegasque would quickly fight back though, retaking P2 at Turn 4.
Further back, Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton made contact with the AlphaTauri pitched into the air before continuing.
A look at that Turn 1 incident ?
Gasly is currently running P18#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/PuokPeEKKJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2022
After being demoted to 13th on the grid due to penalty, Sergio Perez gained five places up to eighth on the opening lap.
The two McLarens also made progress each gained four places in the early laps to run just outside the top 10.
As Verstappen pulled away in the lead, the two Ferraris went to war as Leclerc rebuffed Sainz strongly in the fight for second.
Sebastian Vettel was spun into the gravel by Alex Albon at Turn 6, the Williams driver already had a five-second penalty for pushing Lando Norris wide at Turn 3.
Perez continued his charge, passing the Haas’ and Esteban Ocon to run fifth. Hamilton tried to follow the Red Bull through but became stuck behind the gearbox of Mick Schumacher in ninth.
LAP 15/23
Hamilton is currently P9 chasing the two Haas cars
He’s getting close but can’t find a way through yet#AustrianGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/L7kQ4vj5Vt
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2022
Despite a stout defence from the German, the seven-time world champion eventually made his way through up to eighth.
At the front, it was a Saturday sprint in the hills for Verstappen as he eased to victory and consolidated pole for the race on Sunday.
Leclerc eventually pulled out a gap to Sainz in third with George Russell having a lonely drive to fourth.
Perez gained eight places in total to claim fifth ahead of Ocon in sixth. Kevin Magnussen was seventh ahead of Hamilton, Schumacher and Valtteri Bottas completing the top 10.
Norris, Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Zhou Guanyu each gained four places while Gasly and Albon lost five.
Yuki Tsunoda and Nicholas Latifi completed the finishers. Vettel retired due to damage from his off while Alonso didn’t start.
Full results from the Sprint can be seen below:
#F1SPRINT CLASSIFICATION (LAP 23/23)#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/HgGJdiVo0O
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2022