Austrian Grand Prix Sprint

LAP ONE: Mercedes nightmare amid dramatic aborted start

Rhys Thomas Saturday 29 June 2024 12:23 Updated: 20:04

George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, 2024, Social

Max Verstappen led from pole with both McLaren drivers battling hard behind on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint.

The first attempt to begin the sprint led to an aborted start, meaning cars completed an extra formation lap, which lead to a one lap reduced race count.

F1 HEADLINES: Horner blasted in bitter feud as FIA declare last minute CHANGE for Austrian GP

It has been suggested that photographers behind the turn one barriers posed a risk which caused the extended procedure.

When the race did get underway, Mercedes did not have the ideal start with Carlos Sainz jumping George Russell and Lewis Hamilton remaining in P6.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both led early on

Battle for the lead in opening laps

Though Verstappen retained his lead, he was made to work for it and briefly lost P1 when Norris lunged down the inside at turn three.

The Dutchman looked like he would have to settle into second place, but then gave Norris a taste of his own medicine with a good move into turn four despite the Brit defending hard.

That move opened the door for Oscar Piastri to squeeze past his team-mate, but the Australian was unable to repeat Norris' move on Verstappen.

Russell, meanwhile, re-passed Sainz as Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc started from P10 and struggled for pace in the shortened race.

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes McLaren George Russell Carlos Sainz

Latest News

Latest F1 News

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri butt heads in awkward post-race mishap

Yesterday 22:57

F1 Social

Lewis Hamilton gets major Roscoe boost for British Grand Prix

Yesterday 22:27

Latest F1 News

Cadillac bombshell drops as Red Bull F1 star linked with shock move

Yesterday 21:42

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

Yesterday 21:19

Latest F1 News

Mercedes F1 to run ORANGE livery at British Grand Prix this weekend

Yesterday 20:57

Latest F1 News

F1 legend claims first podium at the age of 94

Yesterday 20:12

More news

FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict at Austrian Grand Prix

29 june

300.000+ views

FIA announce Charles Leclerc disqualification verdict ahead of Canadian Grand Prix

12 june

200.000+ views

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

Yesterday 21:19

200.000+ views

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix

14 june

150.000+ views

FIA announce harsh McLaren penalty verdict after Oscar Piastri incident at Canadian GP

14 june

150.000+ views

Mercedes F1 star hit by FIA deleted lap ruling after Canadian Grand Prix

16 june

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY