Championship back on track after stylish victory

LANDO Norris emerged victorious in the McLaren showdown, securing a morale-boosting win in Austria that revitalises his world championship campaign. In a thrilling face-off with Oscar Piastri, Norris maintained his composure to clinch his third victory of the season, narrowing the title gap with his teammate from 22 points to 15.

- REPORT BY RICHARD GARNETT & PHILIP DUNCAN - PA

Just two weeks after Norris collided with Piastri in Canada, the McLaren duo came perilously close to another crash on the 20th lap out of 70.

Piastri briefly lost control of his vehicle while attempting an overtake at turn four, before receiving a warning against making a similar manoeuvre a clear indication that McLaren had called off the battle.

Norris crossed the finish line 2.7 seconds ahead of Piastri, with Charles Leclerc coming in third. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, extending his wait for a first podium finish in Ferrari colours to his home race at Silverstone this weekend.

Max Verstappen's race was cut short after just three corners when he was knocked out by Mercedes' young driver Kimi Antonelli. The early retirement leaves him trailing by 61 points in the championship race. George Russell secured fifth.

After a collision with Piastri in Montreal left his championship aspirations teetering on the edge, Norris made a remarkable comeback in the Styrian mountains, securing a commanding pole position and fending off Piastri for a decisive victory.

Norris executed a perfect start to stay ahead of Leclerc for the 200-metre sprint to turn one, with his teammate Piastri skilfully manoeuvring around the outside of the Ferrari and into second, giving himself an unobstructed view of Norris.

After the safety car withdrew post-first-lap havoc at the end of lap three, Norris managed to keep a never more than one-second lead over Piastri for the next 16 laps.