WATCH: Bird eye view of Max Verstappen's masterclass to win 3-way battle in Austrian sprint race

In a thrilling display of racing prowess, Max Verstappen secured yet another victory in the Austrian Grand Prix. However, it was not without facing a fierce challenge from the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The battle took place during the latest sprint race, where Verstappen showcased his championship-winning form by fending off relentless attacks from his rivals.

The race began with Verstappen taking an early lead, but it wasn’t long before Norris made his move. Using the Drag Reduction System (DRS) to his advantage, Norris surged past Verstappen into the lead at Turn 3. However, the McLaren driver’s joy was short-lived. A slight lock-up at the next corner allowed Verstappen to reclaim his position, and the opportunistic Piastri seized the moment to overtake his teammate, securing second place.

Here is the video:

Great camerawork from the skies 🚁



Another angle on that magic mini-battle between Verstappen, Norris and Piastri 🍿#F1Sprint #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/0m5mrJIRgK

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 29, 2024

This sequence of events highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of sprint races. Norris, who had shown great pace throughout, was left ruing another minor mistake that cost him a potential victory. Despite this, McLaren had reasons to be optimistic. Their cars demonstrated the speed and capability to challenge the dominant Red Bull, and both drivers displayed commendable skill and aggression.

Oscar Piastri tried to challenge Max Verstappen!

Piastri, having passed Norris, set his sights on Verstappen. For several laps, the young Australian kept the championship leader under pressure, maintaining a close gap. However, with team instructions to manage his medium tyres carefully, Piastri had to temper his aggression. As a result, he began to lose touch with Verstappen, falling out of DRS range and allowing his teammate Norris to close in.

Also check: Max Verstappen registers 'cake-walk' sprint win in Austrian Grand Prix

The intra-team battle between Norris and Piastri played into Verstappen’s hands. With the McLaren drivers vying for position, Verstappen was able to manage his tyres more effectively and maintain a comfortable lead. This strategic advantage allowed him to cruise to the finish line, securing yet another sprint race victory.

Norris finished in third place, while Piastri held on to second, ensuring a double podium for McLaren. This result underlined the team’s progress and their potential to disrupt the established order in future races. Meanwhile, George Russell finished fourth, ahead of Carlos Sainz, who split the two Mercedes drivers with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth.