George Russell gained the Method 1 Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, narrowing his deficit on this planet championship standings.
His Mercedes teammate and chief rival, Kimi Antonelli, completed third, making a late cost however failing to catch Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull, which crossed the road in second. The consequence cuts Antonelli’s lead within the standings over Russell to 40 factors after it simply two .
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The victory was a much-needed rebound for Russell within the scorching warmth of the Styrian hills. He gained the primary race of 2026 earlier than Antonelli, 19, reeled off .
“Unbelievable to be again on the highest step. It’s been a short time, so I’m undoubtedly going to get pleasure from this one this night,” Russell mentioned in a postrace interview. “Wanting ahead to a drink now!”
Russell, 28, began the race on pole place and by no means misplaced his lead.
Verstappen, the four-time world champion, crashed throughout qualifying Saturday and commenced the race fifth. The runner-up end is his finest results of the 2026 season at Crimson Bull’s house race. He has but to win this 12 months and has brazenly criticized the brand new laws, even .
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Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc waged a number of wheel-to-wheel battles as they proceed to vie for supremacy throughout the group. They appeared to make contact on the opening lap as Hamilton muscled previous Leclerc.
Regardless of having began second and third with hopes of contending for victory, each misplaced floor because the race wore on; Hamilton completed fifth and Leclerc eighth. It was the fifth consecutive race by which Hamilton, the seven-time world champion who joined Ferrari final 12 months, of his teammate.
Hamilton and Verstappen additionally renewed their outdated rivalry in a wheel-to-wheel struggle, which Verstappen gained.
Within the second half of the race, Verstappen closed in on Russell earlier than Russell pitted for recent tires. Verstappen, struggling on worn rubber, lastly pitted on Lap 49 of 71 however might by no means fairly catch Russell, finally turning his consideration to holding off Antonelli for second.
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“I feel it was, after all, an excellent race for us. The primary few laps had been fairly enjoyable, after which it was, like, principally simply making an attempt to handle your tires,” Verstappen mentioned, noting that unspecified “points with the automotive” price him rhythm within the closing phases of the race.
Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli through the race Sunday. (Andrej Isakovic / AFP through Getty Photos)
(Andrej Isakovic)
Russell mentioned he values the momentum shift within the title struggle.
“The powerful races undoubtedly take a look at you psychologically,” he mentioned. “And these final two weekends for me have been vitally vital to remind myself I can do it.”
In the meantime, Antonelli congratulated Russell and Verstappen and mentioned he merely “minimized the errors” for himself Sunday.
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There are nonetheless 14 races to go this season, with victory awarding a most of 25 factors for the winner. The following race is one weekend away on July 5, in Britain.
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