Championship leader Nico Rosberg won the Austrian Grand Prix here Sunday, putting Mercedes back on top in a nail-biting finale with teammate Lewis Hamilton.
The German, clinching his third win this season, managed to hold off Hamilton until the end, with Williams driver Valtteri Bottas taking his first ever podium, in what turned out to be a disastrous home race for Red Bull.
Bottas's teammate Felipe Massa, who had started on pole, was fourth, followed by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez of Force India and McLaren's Kevin Magnussen.
The season's eighth race -- and sixth 1-2 finish for Mercedes -- saw the German team extend their lead in the constructors' standings to 301 points, with Red Bull trailing in a distant second place with 143 points.
It also gives Rosberg -- who has never finished off the podium this season -- a 29-point lead on four-win Hamilton in the fierce internal Mercedes battle.
Sunday's race at the Red Bull Ring started with an all-Williams front row after Brazilian Felipe Massa and Bottas put in a superior performance in Saturday's qualifying, depriving Mercedes of pole for the first time this year.
But the German team showed already in the first lap that they were in fighting spirit, with Rosberg briefly coming into second position, while Hamilton jumped from ninth into fourth place after a thundering start.
"It wasn't an easy race. Williams were very quick in the straights so it was hard to fight with them, also in the start. But I had a faster car," the 28-year-old German said afterwards.
"Of course, a 1-2 is also good for the team, I'm happy we achieved that again after the difficult race in Montreal," he added.
The Canadian Grand Prix two weeks ago was the first race this season that did not see Mercedes on top, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo instead taking the win.
"I'm extremely happy with the result and it's also great to extend the championship lead which was really my goal coming here to Austria," Rosberg continued.
Hamilton, who spent the end of the race trying to overtake his rival, looked less pleased, noting only that "(to jump) from ninth to second and be pressuring Nico at the end of the race really shows the pace I had this weekend."
'Long way back for Williams'
After taking his first pole position since 2008, Massa had hoped to follow this up with his first win in six years, but this was not to be.
Instead, it was Bottas who brought Williams their first podium in a year, bumping them up to fifth place in the constructors' standings.
"I'm really really happy, I'm just really thankful for the team. It's been a long long way for us since last year," he reacted afterwards.
"The race was exactly what we needed at this point, everything went like planned really. I was good (enough) for the podium this time and I'm so happy."
For Red Bull, which went into this home race fresh from a win in Canada, the day proved a wash-out with Ricciardo finishing eighth.
A disappointing season for reigning four-time champion Sebastian Vettel meanwhile went from bad to worse as he was forced to retire.
Having started in 12th position, he never had a chance as his car came to a complete halt shortly after the start.
He managed to restart but had to call it quits halfway through the race, having also had a minor brush with Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez, which was being investigated.
Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat also had to pull out after 26 laps with brake problems, later followed by teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.
Perez posted some of the fastest laps on the track and managed to move up to sixth position after starting in 15th place for causing a crash in Canada with Massa.
The Austrian Grand Prix was making its big comeback this weekend after an 11-year absence.
Some 100,000 spectators watched the show at the historic Spielberg track under blue skies and sunny weather.
AFP
Sun Jun 22 2014
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, center celebrates winning the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. -AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.