British driver, George Russell clinched victory in the Austrian Grand Prix following a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, altering the race dynamics dramatically.
Verstappen, while defending his lead, received a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Norris, forcing the McLaren driver into retirement.
This incident sparked controversy as both drivers exchanged accusations over their driving tactics.
Russell’s triumph marked Mercedes’ first win since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Despite late pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Russell maintained his composure to secure the win.
Carlos Sainz of Ferrari claimed the final podium spot, while Lewis Hamilton finished fourth despite a penalty for crossing the pit entry line.
Verstappen, despite his penalty, managed to secure fifth place as Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas trailed 23.7 seconds behind.
Before the collision, Russell had been running a steady race in third position, strategically watching the battle unfold between Norris and Verstappen.
Reflecting on his victory, Russell commented on the intense competition between Norris and Verstappen and praised Mercedes’ recent car upgrades that brought them closer to the front-runners.
“I knew Lando and Max would be fighting hard,” Russell said. “It’s incredible to be back on the top step. We’ve made significant strides since the start of the season.”
Oscar Piastri, who finished behind Russell, lamented a controversial penalty that dropped him from third to seventh on the grid, impacting his race prospects significantly.
McLaren’s appeal against the penalty was dismissed, further complicating their race strategy.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz maintained a solitary fourth-place finish after an initial battle with Hamilton, who faced penalties during the race.
Further down the grid, Kevin Magnussen of Haas secured eighth place, followed by Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull and Pierre Gasly of Alpine.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on points after early damage to his car from a collision required an early pit stop for repairs.
