by Our Sports Desk

Mercedes played the strategic game to perfection to help Nico Rosberg claim his third victory this season and spearhead a sixth one-two as title rival Lewis Hamilton was forced to settle for second best.

Despite a front-row lock-out from Williams for the Austrian Grand Prix to end Mercedes’ domination of qualifying this season, it was the Brackley-based marque who ultimately had the edge.

In another close finish this term, Rosberg took the chequered flag by just 1.9 seconds from Hamilton, who has now fallen 29 points adrift of his teammate in the race for the Formula One World Championship.

Williams’ Valtteri Bottas claimed third spot for the first podium of his F1 career, finishing eight seconds behind mighty Mercedes, with polesitter Felipe Massa down in fourth.

Unlike in Monaco four weeks ago when Hamilton and Rosberg refused to acknowledge one another on the podium after the Briton felt the German had impeded him in qualifying, there was plenty of champagne spraying between the pair.

With former Red Bull driver Mark Webber conducting the interviews on the podium, Rosberg said: “It wasn’t the easiest of races trying to manage certain things that were on the limit.

“But it’s so fantastic to win, great to get a one-two for the team, and great to come back to Austria that deserves a race. It’s been awesome.”

Hamilton, who lost 1.9secs to Rosberg in the pit stops — the exact time between them at the flag — was asked by Webber whether he was happy with how they transpired.

“I have to look at the feedback. Maybe my positioning is not right (in the pit box) so I need to speak to the guys,” said Hamilton.

Former world champion Jenson Button finished down in 11th while Sebastian Vettel failed to finish for the third time this season — as many retirements as he had in the previous three years.