George Russell Wins Austrian GP As Max Verstappen Makes Podium Finish

 

George Russell ended the drought at the Austrian Grand Prix, winning his first race of the season since the season-opening race in Melbourne, Australia. 

The Mercedes driver started in pole position in an eventful qualifying session, during which Max Verstappen crashed out of his last run in Q3. Russell held the pole throughout the final, despite being trailed by Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli in the last laps. He finished fastest in 1:26:37.979 seconds. 

In the early stages, Verstappen battled with Lewis Hamilton to move up to second place. The pair battled through Lap 10 and Lap 11 before the Ferrari driver finally gave up the position at Turn 6 on Lap 23. In the closing laps. Verstappen was closest, trailed by Antonelli. The Red Bull driver held his ground through the last lap to finish in a podium position between the Mercedes duo. 

Meanwhile, during the heated battle between Hamilton and Verstappen, the latter made an in-race phone call demanding that Hamilton be penalised for forcing him onto the gravel on Lap 11. In response, Hamilton argued after the race that Verstappen was in the wrong for driving "around the outside of a champion".

In subsequent laps, Hamilton also battled with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, to move up the ranks. Leclerc was unable to compete favourably like his teammate, Hamilton, who had the pace to fight for the front row. 

Russell has now won the Austrian Grand Prix for the second time, after winning his first in Red Bull Ring in 2024. Making the podium was crucial for Antonelli in the F1 driver standings, extending his lead by 40 points as Russell trails in second with 131 points.  

Austrian Grand Prix Top 10

1. George Russell (Mercedes)...1:26:37.979s

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

7. Lando Norris (McLaren)

8. Charles Leclerc (McLaren) 

9. Liam Lawson (RB)

10. Arvid Lindblad (RB)