Styrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two in Austria

Struggling Ferrari provided a major talking point with Leclerc and Vettel colliding on the opening lap and both retiring

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Formula One Styrian Grand Prix. AFP

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton won the Styrian Formula One Grand Prix in a Mercedes one-two on Sunday to celebrate his 85th career victory and move a step closer to Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91.

Teammate Valtteri Bottas, winner of last weekend's season-opener behind closed doors at the same Austrian circuit, was runner-up with his championship lead cut to six points.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third at his team's home Red Bull Ring.

The paddock seemed to be split again pre-race as some drivers were absent as Hamilton led the protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement by taking a knee.

"It's great to be back up here and thanks to the team," said Hamilton.

"This feels like it has been a long time coming after a difficult weekend last time."

Bottas said he had enjoyed his battle with Max Verstappen.

"Starting fourth, this was damage limitation for me," he said.

"I tried, but we are just a bit too slow," admitted Verstappen.

Bottas leads the embryonic championship ahead of Hamilton with Lando Norris third.

Verstappen was slowed by slight car damage in the final stages, ahead of his teammate Alex Albon, who defended stoutly to finish fourth.

Norris came home a remarkable fifth for McLaren after passing both of Racing Point's pink Mercedes cars during a thrilling final lap, Sergio Perez taking sixth after starting from 17th on the grid, and Lance Stroll seventh.

Daniel Ricciardo was eighth for Renault, Carlos Sainz clocked fastest lap and finished ninth in the second McLaren and Daniil Kvyat 10th for Alpha Tauri.

Both Ferraris were eliminated after crashing together at Turn Three on the opening lap, Charles Leclerc apologising to four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who is in his last season with the team, for his ill-judged dive down the inside that resulted in a disaster for the Italian team.