George Russell (Mercedes) won the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, taking advantage of a collision between Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who finished fifth, and Lando Norris (McLaren), who had to retire, on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring.
The Briton, who started in third position, beat Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), giving Mercedes its first victory since November 2022.
Quebecer Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) crossed the finish line in 13e position.
Russell thus won the second victory of his career after that obtained in Brazil at the end of 2022, the latest for the German team.
The 26-year-old driver took advantage of the battle between Verstappen and Norris which raged with around ten laps remaining and ended at 64e of the 71 laps of the race with a collision and a puncture for each of the two men fighting for victory.
Although the Dutchman, who was found responsible for the accident and who received a minor ten-second penalty, was able to restart after changing tyres, the Briton was unable to leave the pits because his wing was also damaged.
Even though victory eluded him, Verstappen nevertheless performed well, as he increased his championship lead over Norris by 12 lengths, to bring it to 81 points.
Oscar Piastri, who had a remarkable race, finished second, less than two seconds behind Russell, ahead of Sainz, who was happy to secure a podium after another difficult weekend for the Scuderia.
The race of his teammate Charles Leclerc was in fact spoiled from the first turn, when Piastri hit him and damaged his front wing, forcing the Monegasque to return to the pits to change it and to say goodbye to a good result, even if he managed to come up from the 20e at 11e place.
The German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) created a surprise by snatching sixth place after overtaking the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at the very end of the race.
Dane Kevin Magnussen took an unexpected eighth place in the second Haas, while Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls), threatened with losing his drive after poor performances recently, gave himself some respite by finishing in ninth position.
After placing both of its cars in the points in the last two races, the Alpine team was unable to repeat the feat in Austria as Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished 10th respectively.e et 12e.
The two French drivers once again gave their team a cold sweat when they almost collided while overtaking Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) halfway through the race: Ocon spun a little wide and forced Gasly to go off the track, even if the latter was able to get back in front of the Spaniard.
A few laps later, a new battle of words took place between the two Normans and Gasly this time got the better of his teammate, before letting out an ironic “ciao” on the radio!
The paddock will meet at Silverstone (England) next weekend for a third Grand Prix in three weeks after Spain and Austria.
