Russell beats Verstappen at Austrian Grand Prix to boost F1 title hopes | Sports News

George Russell’s victory over Max Verstappen also reduced team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s lead in the race.

A thirsty George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix from pole on Sunday to reduce his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s Formula One championship lead to 40.

Max Verstappen finished 1.6 seconds off the pace, having collided in qualifying and started fifth, at the home stadium of his Red Bull team with Antonelli third and 0.3 behind after a thrilling chase at the Spielberg line.

The win was Russell’s second of the season, having taken the opener in Australia, his seventh career and Mercedes seventh in eight races so far.

Antonelli has 171 points to Russell’s 131 and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, fifth on Sunday after racing again and battling Verstappen wheel-to-wheel, drops to third on 125.

In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes has 302 points to Ferrari’s 204.

“It’s amazing to be back on the top step. It’s been a while, so I’ll really enjoy it tonight,” said Russell, who now heads to his home British GP at Silverstone next week.

He revealed on the radio after taking the checkered flag that his drink failed during the race, the first of the season to be declared a “fire accident”. “Good race for that, I’m a little thirsty,” he said.

Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren, ahead of Hamilton, and Isack Hadjar sixth for Red Bull.

Reigning champion Lando Norris, last year’s winner in Austria, was seventh with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc eighth and Racing Bulls duo Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad completing the top 10.

Russell said: “I had to push every corner and when you push the limits there’s always going to be a mistake or two.

“I knew how fast the guys at the back were. Kimi has been very fast all season, so I was always looking at the time board.”