Russell holds off Verstappen to win Austrian Grand Prix
Mercedes driver George Russell celebrates after winning the 2026 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg. (EPA Images pic)
SPIELBERG: George Russell returned to winning ways after a series of disappointments on Sunday when he claimed a measured victory for Mercedes ahead of Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen in a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old Briton, the pre-season favourite for the drivers’ title and winner of the opening race, secured his second win of the year and the seventh of his career in a close race, declared to be a ‘heat hazard’ event, at the Red Bull Ring circuit.
Russell came home 1.611 seconds ahead of a charging Verstappen, who in turn resisted championship leader Kimi Antonelli, in the second Mercedes, to finish 0.375 seconds in front of him as they crossed the line.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was fourth, 20 seconds adrift, ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull and world champion Lando Norris in the second McLaren.
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