2024 Austrian Grand Prix: Russell ends Mercedes winning draught in dramatic Austrian GP race

- July 01, 2024

Spielberg, STY – The 2024 Austrian Grand Prix delivers another big surprise of the season as George Russell became the fifth different winner of the season in the chaotic race at Red Bull Ring A1 Circuit in Spielberg, Styria on Sunday (June 30). The race became Russell's (and Mercedes's) first win since the 2022 Brazilian GP. The race started with championship leader Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) dominated the early stages of the race. However, McLaren driver Lando Norris collided with Verstappen in the middle stages of the race, causing both cars damaged. As the result of the race, both Verstappen and Norris recevied post-race penalties: ten-second penalty for the Dutchman for causing collision, and a five-second penalty for Norris for leaving the track on purpose "without a justifiable reason multiple times" after the collision.

P1 baby!!! 🏆 It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!

Mega result for the team after all their hard work to get us back in the fight. We never gave up and always believed. Thank you all!!! pic.twitter.com/kr9adfY8Yr
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) June 30, 2024

What started as a great weekend, had an unfortunate ending. We’ll analyse, learn from it, and go again next week. Thank you all for the amazing support around the track 🟠🙏

#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/daMZs3SwKi
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) June 30, 2024

Russell (Mercedes) took an unlikely win at the 2024 Austrian GP following Verstappen-Norris clash.

Verstappen (Red Bull) initially finished third, but demoted to fifth with a 10-second post-race penalty for his collision with Norris (McLaren). Who do you think take blame on the clash between Verstappen and Norris?

For Russell, both him and Mercedes had never won the race in 2023, but after the winning draught ended dramatically, the Silver Arrows' progress towards the title fight still continued. The triple-header continues as the next race will take place on July 7 in British GP at Silverstone, home race for drivers like Russell, Hamilton and Norris.

"Incredible! That's the only way I can describe it. We had a tough fight in the early stages to make sure we held on to P3. That would prove crucial at the end. I could see that Max (Verstappen) and Lando (Norris) were having a big battle. We were only just over 10 seconds behind the pair of them, which is really encouraging pace-wise. I knew there was a possibility that they could come together, even if it was only a slim chance. You have to be there at the end to pick up the pieces and that's exactly where we were. I am so proud to be back on the top step of the podium" said the 26 year-old Russell overjoyed. "The team have done an amazing job to get us closer to the fight at the front. We have made so many strides since the start of the season. The last few races have been great and hopefully there is more to come. It's no secret that Max and Lando are a little bit ahead of us at present but we're now consistently putting ourselves in that third position. It's an exciting time for us; we're riding a bit of a wave, and I can't wait to go to my home race at Silverstone next week and see what we can do there" Russell said determinedly.

Sources:

- https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.russell-claims-surprise-win-in-austria-after-verstappen-and-norris.2Kmxvn4a42JYDFhvklagYk.html

- https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-ecstatic-after-picking-up-the-pieces-from-verstappen-norris.30cLJWqzymdE7F7WqHm5DN

- https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/i-feel-let-down-norris-says-verstappen-in-the-wrong-as-both-drivers-give.3YMA6QdZk5Ih4dKRK2nelR

- 2024 Austrian GP race results

- https://media.mercedes-benz.com/article/3110692a-7b48-47bd-a891-c1345b46f43c