F1 Austrian Grand Prix: Free bets, sign-up offers and preview as Max Verstappen looks to extend lead

THE Formula One season continues this weekend in Austria after last week's dramatic race at Silverstone.

Carlos Sainz won his first ever F1 race at the British Grand Prix last time out, but defending champion Max Verstappen is favourite to get back to winning ways on Sunday in what is Red Bull's home circuit.

Verstappen, the current World Championship leader, is the odds-on favourite to win this weekend, having won six of the ten races so far this season.

And three of the four races he hasn't won have been because of issues with the Dutchman's car.

The 24-year-old currently has a lead of 34 points in the drivers' championship, with his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second place.

This weekend's Austrian Grand Prix weekend includes the second sprint race of the season, meaning more points are up for grabs.

Some 34 points could be won if a driver wins both the sprint race and Grand Prix, as well as picking up fastest lap bonus point.

AUSTRIAN GP: LATEST ODDS

Betfair

Max Verstappen – 8/13
Charles Leclerc – 13/5
Carlos Sainz – 10/1
Sergio Perez – 12/1
George Russell – 14/1
Lewis Hamilton – 14/1
Fernando Alonso – 125/1
Lando Norris – 175/1
Esteban Ocon – 275/1
The Rest – 500/1

The sprint race, which takes place on Saturday, means that qualifying will take place on Friday evening.

Qualifying will decide the starting grid for the sprint race, and the final sprint race positions will decide the starting grid for Sunday's race.

Charles Leclerc remains in third place in the championship, nine points behind Perez, after his car issues at Silverstone last week saw him pick up a fourth place finish in the end.

Sainz's win saw him close the gap on his teammate to 11 points.

The Mercedes' car faired better than in previous races this year.

George Russell was forced to retire after his collision with Alfa Romeo's Guangyu Zhou, while Lewis Hamilton managed a third place finish and picked up the extra point for the fastest lap.

Hamilton was leading the race at one point, for the first time this season, and picked up just his third podium of the year.

Russell currently sits on 111 points, 16 off Sainz, with Hamilton a further 18 points behind his compatriot.

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