From left: Second placed Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, Honda F1’s Technical Director Toyoharu Tanabe, winner Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and third placed McLaren’s Lando Norris celebrate on the podium after the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg on Sunday. Agence France-Presse

Gulf Today Report

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen extended his lead at the top of the standings with a third successive victory at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen followed up his victory in the second race of the Austrian double header in a week’s time. The spike in coronavirus cases led to the cancellation of many races.

To clear the backlog, races were squeezed into a jam-packed calendar and many of them resulting into double header.

Verstappen continued his winning juggernaut to consolidate his position on the top of the driver’s standing.

Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas finished second and McLaren's Lando Norris was also on the podium for the second time in the season.

Verstappen's victory was peppered with double celebration as for the first time a capacity crowd came to watch the live action since pandemic hit the world and brought the world down to their knees.

Verstappen thanked flocking the circuit as over 100, 000 fans congregated to cheer their hero.

With the victory, Verstappen extended his lead to 32 on his closest rival Mercedes Hamilton, who is bidding for a record eighth world title.

He dominated the race from the word go to the checker flag to register third win in fortnight, and fifth of the season.

Last week he had win the Styrian Grand Prix – the first race of the double-header, following it up with his victory at the French Grand Prix.

An unstoppable Verstappen looked in the best form his life and dominated every lap as Hamilton did not seem pose any serious threat thorough out the race.