Max Verstappen has cruised to a dominant victory at the Austrian Grand Prix to continue his march towards a third straight world title.

The Dutchman was untroubled throughout as he converted his pole position into a fifth consecutive victory, and a seventh win in nine races this season.

Verstappen kept hold of first place at the first corner and only surrendered pole position briefly after going in for a pit stop.

While Verstappen's procession passed without incident, there was drama behind him as Sergio Perez battled Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz for the podium spots.

Leclerc claimed second place, thanks largely to Sainz's defence against Perez, although the Red Bull man did ultimately finish third following a thrilling battle with Sainz.

Sainz's hopes were not helped by a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits - one of nine drivers to be hit by that sanction during the race.

Lewis Hamilton was another of those to be penalised en route to a disappointing seventh-placed finish, behind McLaren's Lando Norris and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton's teammate George Russell was behind him in eighth, while Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll completed the points positions.

AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
4. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari)
5. Lando Norris (McLaren)
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
8. George Russell (Mercedes)
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
11. Alex Albon (Williams)
12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
13. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
14. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
15. Nyck de VRies (AlphaTauri)
16. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
17. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
18. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)
19. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
DNF Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)