Bottas parlays disputed start to Austria podium pinnacle

SPIELBERG, Austria - Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas made a great start from pole position to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, while Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finished just behind in second to extend his championship lead over main rival Lewis Hamilton to 20 points.

Bottas held off Vettel's late charge, with the German driver crossing the line just 0.6 seconds behind.

"He was catching up; I had a massive blister in the rear left tire)" Bottas said. "I was losing more and more stability, so I was happy the race ended on that lap."