F1 – Austrian Grand Prix race: Live build-up ahead of race as Max Verstappen kills off Mercedes hopes by committing future to Red Bull… and Lando Norris looks to bag second win of his career

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How did the sprint race go?

Yesterday our 20 brave speed devils took part in a sprint race.

Don’t call it boring just because Verstappen won, because it was anything but.

Norris still had a chance to win when he passed Verstappen in turn four, but he quickly lost the lead when his teammate Piastri overtook him. Piastri eventually finished second, ahead of the Briton.

Perez will be disappointed to finish eighth, while Alonso was not quick enough and finished 14th without scoring any points.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 29: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of the McLaren Formula 1 Team after finishing second and third during the sprint race of the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on June 28, 2024. (Photo by Mine Kasapoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks through the pit lane during qualifying for the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, southern Austria, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Christian Bruna, Pole)
Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu of China drives his car during the sprint event at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, Austria, Saturday, June 29, 2024. The Austrian Grand Prix for Formula 1 will be held on Sunday.  (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
RB driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia drives his car during the sprint event at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Spielberg, Austria, Saturday, June 29, 2024. The Austrian Grand Prix for Formula 1 will be held on Sunday.  (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

A reminder of today’s grid

This is how we stand in line today.

A solid opportunity for the Brits, with Norris second, Russell third and Hamilton fifth. Expect plenty of overtaking opportunities this afternoon on one of the shorter courses on the calendar.

Mercedes have regained their form of late. Could we even see Norris or Russell take a shot at the top spot? It will take a smart strategy to surpass Red Bull – Verstappen qualified almost half a second faster than Norris.

Max Verstappen isn’t going anywhere

The big news of this race weekend is that Max Verstappen will not be driving for Mercedes next season.

the Silver Arrows have hoped to capitalize on the disarray caused by the Christian Horner scandal, with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff very open about his affection for the three-time world champion.

But Verstappen has poured cold water on those ambitions and given Red Bull a major boost ahead of this race.

1719749753 757 F1 Austrian Grand Prix race Live build up ahead of

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog about the F1 GP of Austria.

Tens of thousands of Dutch fans have traveled to Spielberg for Red Bull’s home race, as Max Vertsappen aims for a third consecutive victory.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris starts in second place as he hopes to build on his excellent form of recent times and take his second career victory.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 29: Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing after winning the sprint race of the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on June 28, 2024. (Photo by Mine Kasapoglu /Anadolu via Getty Images)
Formula 1 F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 30, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives before the race REUTERS/Elisabeth Mandl