(Spielberg bei Knittelfeld) George Russell (Mercedes) won the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, taking advantage of a collision between Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who finished fifth, and Lando Norris (McLaren), who had to give up on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring.
The Briton, who started in third position, beat Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), giving Mercedes its first victory since November 2022.
The 26-year-old driver thus secured the second victory of his career after the one obtained in Brazil at the end of 2022, the last one for the German team.
PHOTO LEONHARD FOEGER, REUTERS
George Russell
Russell took advantage of the battle between Verstappen and Norris which raged with around ten laps remaining and which ended at 64e of the 71 laps of the race with a collision and a puncture for each of the two men fighting for victory.
Although the Dutchman, who was found responsible for the accident and who received a penalty of ten seconds, was able to restart after changing tires, the Briton was unable to come out of the pits because his wing was also damaged.
Even though victory eluded him, Verstappen nevertheless pulled off a good move as he increased his championship lead over Norris by 12 points, to 81 points.
Oscar Piastri, author of a remarkable race, failed in second place less than two seconds behind Russell, ahead of Sainz, happy to secure a podium after another difficult weekend for the Scuderia.
The race of his teammate Charles Leclerc was in fact spoiled from the first turn, when Piastri hit him and damaged his front wing, forcing the Monegasque to return to the pits to change it and to say goodbye to a good result, even if he managed to come up from the 20e at 11e place.
German Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) created a surprise by snatching sixth place after overtaking Mexican Sergio Perez (Red Bull) at the very end of the race.
The Dane Kevin Magnussen took an unexpected eighth place at the wheel of the second Haas, while the Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls), threatened to lose his drive after recent mediocre performances, offered himself a little respite by finishing in ninth position.
After placing its two cars in the points during the last two races, the Alpine team was unable to do it again in Austria since Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon respectively finished 10e and 12e.
The two French drivers once again gave their team a cold sweat when they almost collided while overtaking Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) halfway through the race: Ocon spun a little wide and forced Gasly to go off the track, even if the latter was able to get back in front of the Spaniard.
A few laps later, a new battle of words took place between the two Normans and Gasly this time got the better of his teammate, before letting out an ironic “ciao” on the radio!
The paddock meets at Silverstone (England) next weekend for a third Grand Prix in three weeks after Spain and Austria.
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