Styrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton Secures Season's First Win As Mercedes Finish 1-2 At Red Bull Ring Circuit

While Mercedes consolidated their lead in the overall Championship tally for the season, rivals Ferrari had a horrid day on the track as both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc had to pull out of the race following a collision in the first lap.

Lewis Hamilton wins Stryian Grand Prix

World Constructors Champion Mercedes continued their winning run in the 2020-21 Formula circuit as their ace driver and six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on Sunday clinched an impressive win at the inaugural Styrian Grand Prix. It was a 1-2 for Mercedes as Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas ended the race in the second position while Red Bull's Max Verstappen completed the podium at the Red Bull Ring circuit. While Mercedes consolidated their lead in the overall Championship tally for the season, rivals Ferrari had a horrid day on the track as both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc had to pull out of the race following a collision in the first lap. Hamilton secured his maiden win off the season after he started in front of the grid on the back of an amazing qualyfing performance where he took pole position by more than 1.2 seconds.

New for 2020 = Podium Robots ???? ???? ????#AustrianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/RK41dnIdwu

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 12, 2020

"The team did a fantastic job with their strategy. I'm so grateful to be back in first place. It feels like a long time coming. This is a great, great step forward. I love back to back (races)! I could do it all season long," said Hamilton after the race.

We stand together ✊???? the team today took the knee which was just amazing to see that together we can learn and be open minded of what’s going on in the world. Thank you to everyone in my team and to you #TeamLH, I appreciate all of your support and your positive messages ???????? pic.twitter.com/zfKGdjDjce

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) July 12, 2020

Bottas, who came second, said: "Lewis had a good start and he could control the race. For me, starting from fourth was damage limitation so to get second isn't a bad result. "It could have been better but I'm looking forward to heading to Hungary next week," he added. Meanwhile, Verstappen said he did try to make it difficult for Valtteri. "A podium was good, but still a lot of work to do." Leclerc also apologised for a rash move on the first lap that took out both cars. "I am disappointed in myself. I'm sorry but being sorry is not enough. Seb (Sebastian) hasn't got any faults today. "I've let the team down after them working a whole week to bring the updates early. Too eager to gain those places in the first lap. I will learn from it," he said in a tweet. With the first three spots sealed in dominant fashion, an exciting battle for fourth place saw the Red Bull of Alex Albon finish ahead of the McLaren of Lando Norris, Norris passing the Racing Point of Sergio Perez with one corner to go in the race after the Mexican suffered front wing damage from contact with Albon. Perez was classified sixth, ahead of teammate Lance Stroll in seventh and Renault's Daniel Ricciardo finished eighth.