Spielberg, Austria (CNN) -- Inside the Red Bull Ring -- home to the returning Austrian Grand Prix -- Mercedes toreadors Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were effectively left to slog it out by their peers in Sunday's race. 

Hamilton flew from ninth to fourth by the end of the first lap to once again put himself into a fight with his teammate and chief world title rival. 

The two Mercedes circled each other like silver sharks in the final 20 laps around the undulating circuit but each time Hamilton bit into Rosberg's lead, the German responded. 

There was to be no final attack and Rosberg took a third win of the season to stretch his lead in the 2014 Formula One drivers' championship to 29 points. 

"It's a nice gap," said Rosberg, who remains determined to stem rising expectation that he will emulate his father Keke and be crowned world champion. 

"It's still so early in the season. I'm more or less taking it step by step, and every weekend my aim is to extend the lead. 

"It worked out well and I'm extremely happy with the result." 

Interactive: Results and standings 

Hamilton had hampered his chances of clawing back ground on his rival and long-term friend after making a mistake in qualifying Saturday. 

The 2008 champion's fastest time was scratched because he infringed the rules by running wide at Turn Eight and he then spun on this second attempt to grab pole position. 

Hamilton made amends Sunday with a sensational start, which saw him jump five places on the opening lap. 
Where is Rosberg from?
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Where was it?
What city?
What track?
Who won?
Is it his first of the season?
How many others did he win?
What is he leading?
by how much?
Who is his father?
Was he a racer?
Was he a champion?
What kind?
When did Hamilton break the rules?
At which turn?
What did he do
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Spielberg, Austria
Spielberg, Austria
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton
Formula One
Formula One 
Austrian Grand Prix
Austrian Grand Prix
Austria
 Austria
Spielberg
Spielberg
Red Bull Ring
Red Bull Ring
Rosberg
 Rosberg
no
Rosberg took a third win of the season
Two
third win
the 2014 Formula One drivers' championship
 the 2014 Formula One drivers' championship
29 points
29 points
Keke
 Keke
yes
 emulate his father Keke
yes
e will emulate his father Keke and be crowned world champion
world champion
world champion
Saturday
Saturday
Turn Eight
 Turn Eight
running wide
 running wide
he then spun
he then spun