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. 
What is the name of this race?
Austrian Grand Prix