Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany steers his car during the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, June 22, 2014.SPIELBERG, Austria – Formula One returned to business as usual Sunday as Nico Rosberg led Lewis Hamilton at the Austrian Grand Prix for the sixth 1-2 finish by Mercedes.
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won the Canadian GP two weeks ago and Williams’ Felipe Massa took pole position for Sunday’s race but this had little effect on Mercedes which had missed out on the front row of the grid for the first time this season.
“I was still very confident going into the race and knew I could win starting from third,” said Rosberg, who celebrated his third win of the year and sixth overall as he extended his lead in the drivers’ championship over Hamilton to 29 points – 165 vs. 136.
“I am extremely happy,” the German said. “Extending my lead was the main goal coming into this race.”
Williams’ Valtteri Bottas came third for his first career F1 podium while teammate Massa took fourth. Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel quit the race on lap 36 after overcoming engine problems early in the race.