George Russell wins the Austrian Grand Prix after a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris

This is called knowing how to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. George Russell (Mercedes) won the Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg on Sunday June 30, ahead of Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari).

With a great start, Max Verstappen seemed on the verge of completing a perfect weekend: winner of the sprint race and author of pole position the day before, the Dutchman took several lengths ahead of his competitors from the start and quickly opened up a gap that rose to more than eight seconds before the second pit stop. Blocked for a few moments at the time of his second tire change so as not to be released on his direct competitor, he missed his pit exit and saw Lando Norris come back into his exhausts.

The Briton pushed, but, as in Spain and Canada, failed narrowly behind the man with 61 Grand Prix victories. For around fifteen laps, the two men fought side by side, until the 64th lap: on a rough attack from Lando Norris, or a virile defense from Max Verstappen – the latter finally took a penalty of 10 seconds into this action – the two men held on.

Norris quickly retired, Verstappen went down the rankings, and it was finally the Englishman George Russell, until then third, who seized first place a few laps from the end and never let go. The Mercedes driver thus wins his first victory of the season, and his second of his career, after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2022. As for Verstappen, he must be satisfied with 5th place, behind Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). The Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished, respectively, in 10th and 12th position.