Austrian Grand Prix 2021 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen completed a Red Bull Ring double with his fifth consecutive victory, thoroughly dominating the Austrian Grand Prix one week after his Styrian triumph at the same circuit. The Dutchman's flawless performance extended his championship lead to 32 points, marking the high-water mark of Red Bull's mid-season dominance.

Starting from pole position once again, Verstappen led every lap and set the fastest lap to collect maximum points. His victory was never in doubt as he controlled the race with masterful precision. However, Lewis Hamilton's race unraveled when he sustained floor damage after running over a kerb at Turn 10, severely compromising his Mercedes' performance. The damage forced Hamilton to pit for repairs and dropped him down the order, ultimately finishing a distant fourth and losing crucial championship points.

Valtteri Bottas inherited second place for Mercedes, benefiting from Hamilton's misfortune, while Lando Norris delivered another excellent performance to claim third for McLaren. Sergio Perez finished sixth after Red Bull had to change his chassis following a suspected gearbox issue. Verstappen's fifth straight win equaled his personal best winning streak and gave him a commanding 32-point championship lead - his largest advantage of the season. The Austrian double demonstrated Red Bull's complete dominance at their home circuit and suggested they had seized control of the championship fight heading into the British Grand Prix.