SPIELBERG, Austria — George Russell boosted his title bid by seizing victory in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
The Mercedes driver earned his seventh career victory ahead of a chasing Max Verstappen and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Russell made a smooth getaway from pole position when the lights went out, while Verstappen also bounced back from the disappointment of his crash in Qualifying to make gains in the early laps. Antonelli did not have an entirely smooth start, the Italian running wide on several occasions.
While Russell held a solid lead for much of the following laps, Verstappen – after engaging in more than one feisty battle with Lewis Hamilton along the way – made his way up to second as the race progressed, resulting in the Dutchman putting increasing pressure on Russell later on.
A tense end to the Grand Prix followed as, after his final pit stop, Verstappen set about cutting into Russell’s lead – just as Antonelli was also trying to chase down the Dutchman from third. But Russell ultimately crossed the line by 1.611 seconds ahead of Verstappen, the Briton also moving back up to second in the standings in the process.
“A lot of hard work from my team to get us back on track. Obviously there was a tricky run of form at one point,” Russell said. “Max and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend, so kudos to them, but thanks to everyone, thanks to the fans. It was pretty toasty out there, so I’m looking forward to a drink now.”
Verstappen held off Antonelli by just 0.375 seconds, bringing to an end an impressive day for the four-time World Champion, while Antonelli had to settle for third – meaning that he now leads the championship by 40 points.
Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren, ahead of the Ferrari of Hamilton in fifth and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in sixth.
The other McLaren of Lando Norris claimed P7, followed by Charles Leclerc in P8 on a disappointing day for the Scuderia.