Russell wins Austrian Grand Prix for Mercedes

VIENNA: George Russell claimed victory for Mercedes in the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, ending a difficult run of results with a controlled drive at the Red Bull Ring and finishing ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a race run under heat-hazard conditions.

The 28-year-old Briton, who had begun the season as the favourite for the drivers’ championship and won the opening race, secured his second victory of the year and the seventh of his Formula One career. He crossed the line 1.611 seconds clear of Verstappen, who then held off championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.375 seconds.

Antonelli, driving the second Mercedes, finished third after a late charge. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fourth, 20 seconds behind, followed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in fifth. Isack Hadjar was sixth in the second Red Bull, while McLaren’s Lando Norris came home seventh. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished eighth, with Red Bull pair Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad completing the top 10.

Russell said he had to work throughout the race to stay in front, while acknowledging Red Bull’s pace over the weekend.

"It's beautiful to be back on the top step," said Russell. "It's been a while so I'm definitely going to enjoy this one tonight. Max and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend, so kudos to them. I had to push every single lap –– and I'm looking forward to a drink now.

The result cut Antonelli’s lead over Russell in the championship standings by 10 points to 40. The Italian teenager had built a strong advantage earlier in the season by winning five races in a row.

Verstappen, who started from fifth on the grid, coped well with the intense temperatures, reported as 37C in the air and 62C on the track, and said tyre management was key after an entertaining opening phase.

"It was a very good race for us. The first laps were fun and then I managed the tyres."

Antonelli said he had not handled the opening laps as well as he wanted, but improved after a tyre change and felt his speed was strong in the later stages.

"I was a bit too excited in the first laps and I didn't drive well, but after changing tyres, I re-set and the pace was strong. It's a shame I joined the party a bit too late."