Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris gave Formula One fans another epic battle at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday. But their desire to win at all costs went against them, this time allowing Mercedes’ George Russell to cross the finish line first.
Russell used the Verstappen and Norris’ crash in Lap 64 to claim his second career win in F1 and first for Mercedes since 2022.
After taking the pole, Verstappen had a comfortable lead for the better part of the race while Norris struggled to make up the difference. However, a slower-than-usual change of tires in Lap 51 by Red Bull’s mechanics gave Norris a chance to close in and challenge the three-time world champion.
Norris closed in by Lap 59 and launched an all-out attack to overtake Verstappen. However, the Dutchman did everything to keep his position and successfully kept Norris behind for the next four laps.
In Lap 64, Norris decided to switch his tactic and try to overtake Verstappen from outside. At that point, the wheels of the two cars crashed and caused a tire puncture for both drivers.
Verstappen managed to get to the pit and return to race after the incident. Norris, on the other hand, had to retire as rubber residue caused extensive damage to his car’s bodywork.
Russell, being in third place at that point, used the rare slip of his rivals to take the lead and hold it until the finish.
“It’s no secret with Red Bull and Max, and McLaren with Lando are still a little bit out in front. But we are always putting ourselves in that third place position in the last couple of races. If anything happens up front, we will then pick it up. What an exciting time for us,” Russell said after the race.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished second, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz also managed to get on the podium.
