For much of the Austrian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc looked like he was set to take his first Formula 1 victory, the Ferrari driver barely putting a foot wrong. But as he struggled with his tyres in the closing stages, rival Verstappen - who had pitted later and was on fresher rubber - was simply getting better and better.

The Red Bull driver had recovered from a poor start to run fourth before he pitted for another set of tyres. On rejoining on the hards, the Dutchman looked like another driver.

“At the start I had anti-stall, we set the clutch too aggressive,” said Verstappen. “But yeah, from then onwards, my first stint was a little bit limited with a flat-spot I had after lap one, but still we stayed out quite long.

“Once we came out again, we had great pace, we were looking after the tyres a bit, just settling in. One by one we were overtaking the cars ahead. The car really came alive.”