George Russell gifted Austrian Grand Prix win after Max Verstappen, Lando Norris collide

SPIELBERG – George Russell claimed a dramatic victory for Mercedes on June 30 after a sensational collision between series leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull and his nearest rival Lando Norris of McLaren in the closing laps of an action-packed Austrian Grand Prix.

It was the British driver’s second career victory, cementing the improved form of the Mercedes team in recent races, as he made the most of Verstappen’s impulsive and aggressive move against Norris, to finish 1.9 seconds clear of Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren.

“Incredible!” said Russell, who had registered Mercedes’ last win in Brazil in 2022.

“I think it was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race just to hold on to that third place and I saw on the TV that Max and Lando were getting pretty close – and I knew Lando would want to try to get that race win.

“The team has done an amazing job to put us in this fight and you’ve got to be there in the end to pick up the pieces.”

Carlos Sainz finished third for Ferrari ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes. Verstappen was fifth despite collecting a 10-second penalty for causing the crash with Norris, who was forced to retire his damaged car.

Verstappen called the penalty “ridiculous” on team radio. The Dutchman later defended himself, saying: “From the outside, it’s hard to see when I brake. I know in the past it was a bit of a complaint.

“Now I always move my wheel before I brake then you brake in a straight line trajectory. It’s always easy to say on the outside that I’m moving under the braking. But I think the guy in the car knows best what he’s doing.”

On Norris he added: “His dive bombs, he’s so late on the breaks, I think it’s the shape of the corner that provides these issues sometimes. It is what it is.”

However, Norris said: “He ruined his own race as much as he ruined mine... If he says he did nothing wrong, then I will lose a lot of respect for that.

“If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me and being a bit reckless in a way, then I will lose only a small amount of respect for him.”

On a hot day in the Styrian Alps, with air temperatures touching 29 deg C and the track at 49 deg C, Verstappen made his now customary flawless start from pole.

Russell also made a good start from third and fought Norris for second on the opening lap.

Verstappen pitted on lap 23, followed by Norris and the rest, passing the race lead to Piastri until he pitted on lap 25. Piastri rejoined sixth and order was restored with everyone on hard tyres, except Russell who took a second set of mediums.

“He launched straight into me – I couldn’t turn right into the box,” said Norris, complaining about Verstappen’s alleged unsafe release by Red Bull.

“Yeah, we’re on it,” came the reply.

The battling pair eventually collided on lap 63 at Turn Three where Verstappen moved across to hit Norris’ car and both suffered punctures, presenting the lead to Russell as they limped back to the pits.

Verstappen’s front left was damaged and Norris’ right rear, with sufficient damage for the McLaren to retire as Verstappen rejoined in fifth. The crash led to a brief Virtual Safety Car.

Nico Hulkenberg came home sixth for Haas ahead of Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull, Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas, Daniel Ricciardo of RB and Pierre Gasly of Alpine.

Charles Leclerc finished 11th in the second Ferrari after a race of four pit-stops following a first-lap incident. AFP