Max Verstappen competes during the Formula One Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on Sunday. AFP

Gulf Today Report

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen delivered another master class to storm to a mesmerizing victory at the Styrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

He dominated the race from the word go to the checker flag to register second win within seven days, fourth of the season.

He seemed to have started whence he left at the French GP.

The Dutch driver carried on his winning momentum and dominated every lap as Hamilton did not seem pose any serious threat thorough out the race.

Hamilton finished second, six seconds adrift of the Dutch while Valtteri Bottas came third to claim his first podium since Spanish GP.

With two podium finishes in Austria team Mercedes collected a total of 35 points while Red Bull added 37 points to their kitty in the constructor’s title race as  Sergio Perez was close fourth and missed the podium by just three seconds.

Max Verstappen during a press conference in Spielberg on Sunday. Reuters

Hamilton, however, managed to register the fastest lap, which handed him bonus points.
 
With the victory, he tightened the grip on the driver’s title as he extended his lead to 18 points to the nearest rival and defending champion Britain’s Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen has procured 156 points where as Hamilton has 138, followed by Red Bull Sergio Perez who is sitting on 96 points.

In the last season, Hamilton dominated the race  championship from the beginning to the end as Mercedes ran away with all both team’s and driver’s titles.

Hamilton had made his intent clear with an overwhelming victory in the season opener at the Bahrain GP.

Verstappen bounced back at the second grand prix of the season in Italy to claim a comprehensive victory.

In Portugal, Hamilton again changed his gears and edged Verstappen to claim second win of the season. He carried his momentum in Spain, winning sixth Spanish GP of his career.

But a lurking Verstappen exacted his revenge in Monaco to register third victory of the season.