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LECLERC WINS IN AUSTRIA


In a tense final few laps to this instalment of the Austrian Grand Prix it was the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc who came out on top for his first win since the Australian Grand Prix as Verstappen finishes second with Hamilton in third.


It was Max Verstappen (Red Bull) who got away well from Leclerc (Ferrari) as Sainz (Ferrari) goes wide into turn one and is wheel to wheel with Russell (Mercedes) but Sainz keeps third and Perez (Red Bull) goes wheel to wheel with Russell into turn four and is clipped and is into the gravel but is able to carry on but that has ruined his race so early on.

And after a pit stop on lap two Perez is lapped by race leader and teammate Verstappen and Leclerc just eight laps into the race.


On lap 10 Leclerc went for a diving move into turn three but Verstappen keeps the lead in the end. George Russell is given a five second penalty for the collision with Perez on lap one. Just two laps later Leclerc catches out Verstappen and goes down the inside and takes the lead of the race into turn three. As Russell comes in for a stop and to serve his penalty dropping from fourth to 19th.

On lap 26 Red Bull decided it was best to retire Perez after sustaining too much damage from his contact with Russell on lap one. Leclerc comes in from the lead - the Ferrari driver rejoins in third - Sainz now leads the race to Verstappen in second. On the very next lap (27/71) Sainz pits from first this gives Verstappen back the lead of the race and Leclerc into second. Sainz back out into fourth behind Hamilton who hadn't stopped as of yet. Eventually on lap 29 Hamilton makes his stop from third and rejoins the track wheel to wheel with Ocon in sixth but loses out in the drag race with the Alpine and stays in sixth.


With fresh tyres Leclerc makes a move on Verstappen for the lead and takes it on lap 33 - its clear the Ferrari is quicker as Verstappen really doesn’t fight the move from Leclerc.


Lap 51 Nicholas Latifi (Williams) is out after sustaining damage early on in the race.

After some pit stops earlier on Leclerc makes the move once more in this race on Verstappen for the lead and it’s a race till the end for the Ferrari driver. Lap 53/71.

Then the drama really began as Sainz’s Ferrari is on fire after a dramatic engine failure for last weeks race winner and the VSC (Virtual Safety Car) is deployed. This retirement gifts Hamilton third and another podium for this year. On lap 60 the VSC ends and racing resumes at full speed. And with some problems with his throttle pedal is was a nervy final few laps for Ferrari but in the end they crossed the line in first to take home the 25 points and Ferrari's first win in Austria since Michael Schumacher in 2003.


The next race is the French Grand Prix.

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