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Bottas wins, Norris podium in manic Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas picked up the eighth win of his career at the season-opening Formula 1 ...



Bottas wins, Norris podium in...
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Bottas wins, Norris podium in manic Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas picked up the eighth win of his career at the season-opening Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austria this afternoon.

The 30-year-old Finn led from start to finish from pole, in what was an incident-filled day at the Red Bull Ring.

Almost half of the field failed to finish, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen the first to depart the track after losing power.

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was hit with a five-second penalty for a collision with the Red Bull of Alex Albon. That meant the British driver only takes a fourth-placed finish, even though he crossed the line in second.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took second as a result, and 20-year-old Briton Lando Norris finished third for the first podium finish of his fledgling career.

The McLaren driver also picks up a point for the fastest lap of the day right at the conclusion of the race.

There were several retirements - including Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen, who lost a wheel.

Norris was thrilled to have earned a third-placed finish.

"There's a few moments where I thought I fudged it. I dropped to fifth with a few laps to go and Carlos nearly passed me and I managed to get back past Checo and I ended up on the podium.

"It was a good race, a hard last few laps to push as hard as I can, I'm so happy for the team to achieve what we have given where we were a few years ago.

"The last few laps when I had to get past Checo I saw he had a five-second penalty. I was vulnerable to the guys behind but I had to try and get past him and then there was the Lewis penalty so I had to get past him and try and push it - it's a lot about rhythm here... and I'm very happy."

All drivers wore t-shirts with an anti-racism message ahead of the race. But six chose not to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Ferrari's Leclerc was one driver who chose not to take a knee, saying in some countries it "could be seen as controversial" to do so.

"I believe what matters are facts and behaviours in our daily life rather than formal gestures.

"I will not take the knee but this does not mean at all that I am less committed than others in the fight against racism."

Meanwhile, Verstappen explained his reasoning for doing the same.

"I am very committed to equality and the fight against racism. But I believe everyone has the right to express themselves at a time and in a way that suits them.

"I will not take the knee today but respect and support the personal choices every driver makes."

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Charles Leclerc Ferrari Formula 1 Lando Norris Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Valtteri Bottas