Leclerc, victim of accelerator problems, finished less than 2 seconds ahead of the Dutchman who retains the lead in the world championship after 11 rounds contested out of 22 with 38 points ahead of Leclerc.

The podium is completed by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) following the retirement of the other Ferrari driven by Carlos Sainz Jr whose engine caught fire while trying to snatch 2nd place from Verstappen about ten rounds of arrival.

"It was a very good race with good pace. I had a problem with the accelerator and I only had 20-30% openness left but I was able to manage that until the end," said declared the 24-year-old Monegasque driver after the finish.

He had not finished on the podium in the previous five Grands Prix and saw himself trailing Verstappen in the championship mid-season.

"It was time" to win another victory, the 3rd of the season for him and his 5th overall in F1, he admitted.

This is the second victory in a row for Ferrari after that of Carlos Saint Jr at the British Grand Prix the previous Sunday.

In the championship, the Scuderia is now 56 points behind Red Bull.

"We suffered with the tyres," said Verstappen.

"But it's still a second place," he said.

"It's a pity for the fans, I couldn't offer them a victory", he regretted at the place of the tide of his supporters and those of Red Bull who came to watch the race on the Austrian circuit of Spielberg, owned by the giant of sodas Red Bull and the eponymous team.

Monegasque Charles Leclerc, winner of the Austrian F1 GP ahead of Max Verstappen (g) and Lewis Hamilton, on July 10, 2022 at Spielberg Joe Klamar AFP

"Unacceptable" behavior

The F1 promoter said on Sunday before the race to open an investigation into behavior deemed "unacceptable" by supporters present at the Austrian Grand Prix.

According to a statement, Formula One has been made aware that "some fans have been the subject of completely unacceptable comments from other fans" since the first test on Friday.

"This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All fans should be treated with respect," Formula One said.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, very committed to the fight against racism, reacted to this behavior by considering himself on Instagram on Sunday "disgusted to learn that some supporters are confronted with racist, homophobic and generally aggressive behavior on the circuit this weekend".

The first five of the F1 World Championship Sylvie HUSSON AFP

Spectators had notably booed Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the two Mercedes drivers, when they left the road on Friday during qualifying for the sprint race, won by Max Verstappen on Saturday.

Sergio Perez's other Red Bull retired early in the race on Sunday after a collision with George Russell who finished 4th ahead of Frenchman Esteban Ocon's Alpine.

The next race will be at the Circuit du Castellet in France on July 24.

© 2022 AFP