Austrian Grand Prix 2017 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Valtteri Bottas claimed his second victory of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix, dominating from pole position at Red Bull's home circuit to secure a commanding Mercedes win. The Finnish driver controlled the race from start to finish, delivering a flawless performance that silenced critics who questioned his ability to consistently challenge for victories alongside Lewis Hamilton.

Starting from pole, Bottas made a perfect getaway and built a comfortable lead over Sebastian Vettel, who finished second for Ferrari. The championship leader couldn't match the Mercedes' pace on the short, power-sensitive Red Bull Ring layout. Daniel Ricciardo completed the podium in third for the home team, though Red Bull's hopes of a stronger result were dashed by their ongoing Renault power unit disadvantages. Hamilton set the fastest lap but could only finish fourth after suffering floor damage early in the race, limiting his ability to close on the leaders.

The victory kept Mercedes in the championship fight and demonstrated Bottas's growing confidence at the team. His controlled drive, managing tire degradation perfectly in the Austrian heat, showed he was developing into a complete package. Vettel maintained his championship lead, but at 20 points the margin was narrower than it had been after Monaco. The result set up an intriguing battle heading to Hamilton's home race at Silverstone, where the British driver would look to capitalize on home support.