George Russell clinched victory for Mercedes after a contentious collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who were vying for the lead In a dramatic turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix. The incident led to a 10-second penalty for Verstappen and the retirement of Norris from the race.
The clash was the climax of a heated contest, with both drivers expressing grievances over each other’s driving tactics. Russell’s triumph marked Mercedes’ first win since their success at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite facing pressure from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in the closing stages, Russell maintained his lead to secure the win.
Carlos Sainz of Ferrari secured the third podium spot, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who incurred a five-second penalty for a pit entry line infringement. Verstappen managed to finish fifth, retaining his position even after the penalty, as Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas trailed by a significant margin.
The pivotal moment between Norris and Verstappen occurred when Verstappen seemed poised for victory, leading Norris by seven seconds. However, a slow pit stop and strategic tire choices led to an intense showdown. Norris, on fresher tires, quickly caught up to Verstappen, leading to several laps of intense competition. Norris’s overtaking attempt on lap 62 resulted in contact, causing punctures for both drivers and effectively ending their race for the top spot.
Verstappen managed to limp back to the pits with minimal damage, but Norris’s car suffered extensive damage, forcing his withdrawal. The penalty for Verstappen was a topic of debate, with some commentators suggesting it was a clear violation of the rules.
Despite the incident, Verstappen extended his championship lead to 81 points over Norris as they head into the British Grand Prix.
For Mercedes, the victory was a significant achievement, ending a long wait for a win. Russell had been in a distant third before the collision, and the late virtual safety car phase added tension to the final laps. However, Russell’s perseverance paid off, highlighting Mercedes’ recent improvements and their closer contention with the front-runners.
Piastri, who faced a setback due to a penalty for exceeding track limits during qualifying, might have been a contender for the lead had it not been for the grid position drop resulting from the penalty.
The race also saw Sainz running a solitary fourth after an early tussle with Hamilton, and behind them, a mix of midfield battles unfolded, with Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly securing points.
Charles Leclerc’s hopes for points were dashed after an opening-lap incident required a pit stop for a new front wing, leaving him just outside the points-scoring positions.
Reported By BBC Sports.
