George Russell Grabs 2024 Austrian Grand Prix Victory After Leaders Collide

Formel 1 – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Großer Preis von Österreich 2024. George Russell – Formula One – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Austrian GP 2024. George Russell – George Russell (63) celebrates after winning the 2024 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring (Source: Mercedes AMG)

SPIELBERG, Austria – With Max Verstappen looking as strong as ever after winning the Sprint Race and claiming the pole for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, it almost looked certain that the Red Bull driver would win again, but with solid pace from both the Mercedes of George Russell and the McLaren of Lando Norris meant nothing could be counted out till the checkered flag flies.

As the grid prepared for the start, it was revealed that Kick Sauber would be starting Zhou Guanyu from the pit lane as the lone change to the grid from the qualifying the day before. Meanwhile, the tire covers were revealed for what teams would be starting for the expected two-stop race as all teams lined up on the grid were on the Medium compound tires while Guanyu would be starting on the Hard tires from the pit lane.

Verstappen led the field for the formation lap, with Lando Norris’s McLaren again slotted alongside him for the second day. Finally, the lights went out, and the Red Bull cleared ahead of the McLaren while Russell tried to work on second place.

Behind them, a scrap between the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri, the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc and the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez saw all three gather damage as three cars tried to go into a spot designed for one, with the Ferrari picking up the most damage. Leclerc had to pit while Piastri and Perez raced on, running wheel to wheel for most of the opening lap.

Ahead of them, the Mercedes duo of Russell and Lewis Hamilton were amid a scrap that saw the seven-time World Champion make a move on his teammate going into Turn 3. However, Russell was able to get back around his teammate while the front pack was starting to stretch out.

Battles were forming everywhere as Hamilton and Sainz raced for fourth place. Hamilton had made a move on Sainz, but he was requested to give the spot back after pushing the car he will be taking over next season. Meanwhile, Piastri had made his way up to sixth after an impressive move over Perez in Turn 6, a part of the track that does not usually see passes for position.

The opening round of pit stops for the day started when Haas and Visa Cash App RB brought in Kevin Magnussen and Daniel Ricciardo for a set of Hard compound tires. Haas called in Hulkenberg to join his teammate a lap later. Verstappen was working on extending his lead over Norris and Russell.

Pit stops were beginning to heat up, and at the same time, time penalties were being handed out. Guanyu had been punted by Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin into Turn 3, handing the veteran a 10-second penalty. At the same time, Hamilton was given a five-second penalty after improperly entering the pit lane by crossing the white line on pit entry. Perez soon caught the ire of Race Control, being handed his five-second penalty after speeding in the pit lane.

Formel 1 – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Großer Preis von Österreich 2024. George Russell – Formula One – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Austrian GP 2024. George Russell – George Russell (63) on track in his Mercedes AMG F1 W15 during the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring (Source: Mercedes AMG)

Verstappen soon led Norris into the pits for their first stops of the day, both switching to the Hard tires. However, an investigation was raised as it seemed a possible unsafe release occurred as the Red Bull left the pits, almost directly into the path of the McLaren.

Verstappen attempted to maintain consistent lap times, but as the hard tires started to fall off, Norris began to close in more and more. The leaders were going through lapped traffic, and thoughts of a second pit stop were beginning.

Behind them, Leclerc had been in the midst of a disappointing day. Having already been on his third pit stop, his only encouragement was that his team told him he was still in play for a points-paying finish. Meanwhile, the Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were in the midst of a heavy fight as they attempted to claim another double-points paying finish.

The final round of pit stops was opened up for the front runners as Mercedes called in Russell for another set of the Hard compound tires. Soon, Verstappen and Norris followed him for another set of Medium tires. Verstappen had been holding onto about a six-second lead, but a slow pit stop after a stubborn lug nut on the left rear meant that Norris would be coming out of the pits right behind his friend and current closest rival.

The final 20 laps saw a fierce battle start to heat up between Norris and Verstappen. The McLaren driver kept it close to the Red Bull with the help of DRS. However, it soon became a show of catching that differed from passing, especially when the leader was Verstappen.

Norris called the pit wall in the battle, complaining that Verstappen was moving under braking. During his chase, the young McLaren driver searching for his second win crossed track limits, getting closer to a five-second penalty as the laps wound down.

On Lap 59, Norris had finally gotten alongside Verstappen but went off-track to complete the pass, firmly giving him his five-second penalty for track limits, but his battle was far from over.

Formel 1 – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Großer Preis von Österreich 2024. George Russell – Formula One – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Austrian GP 2024. George Russell – George Russell (63) on track in his Mercedes AMG F1 W15 during the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring (Source: Mercedes AMG)

The battle kept heating up, and it seemed clear it might end in tears. Which, on Lap 64, is precisely what happened. Entering Turn 3 again, Norris had gotten alongside Verstappen; this time, contact was made, and both cars earned punctures. Both vehicles had to limp their way back to the pits, hoping to continue.

Russell, running third, took the opportunity to sweep past both stricken cars to take the lead in what was almost sure to be his second career victory. Piastri was quickly approaching after passing the Ferrari of Sainz. Verstappen and Norris returned to the pits, and the Red Bull rejoined the track. However, Norris had called it a day, retiring and ending his streak of being the only driver to score points in every Grand Prix in 2024.

Due to all the tire and carbon fiber debris littering the track, a virtual safety car was deployed. Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for causing a collision in his battle against Norris. The VSC was great news for Russell, as he could use it as a chance not to worry about the fast-approaching McLaren of Piastri.

The VSC period ended, and Russell could start cruising back around the track for the closing laps. Piastri was making up time, but it was looking to be too little too late for him.

George Russell finally crossed the line at the end of the race to claim his second victory, just 1.906 seconds clear of a quick Oscar Piastri, while Carlos Sainz picked up a surprising podium finish. Hamilton brought his Mercedes home fourth while Verstappen recovered for fifth, not losing his position after the 10-second penalty had been applied at the end of the race.

Both Haas cars of Hulkenberg and Magnussen surrounded the Red Bull of Perez, claiming their best finish of the season so far, matching their best since 2022, at the same track. Ricciardo brought his RB home in the ninth, while Gasly rounded out the Top 10 in the points-paying finishers.

Leclerc tried his best to finish in the points but ultimately finished outside the Top 10 in 11th, ahead of Ocon on the lead lap. Finishing a lap down came the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll, ahead of the Visa Cash App RB of Yuki Tsunoda, the Williams of Alex Albon, and the Kick Sauber of Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu, and Alonso. The other Williams of Logan Sargeant finished two laps down, and Norris was the lone driver who did not finish.

Formula 1 now prepares to end the European Triple Headers with the British Grand Prix at the historic Silverstone Circuit. Mercedes hopes to continue their pace with George Russell, but McLaren and Red Bull hope to continue their fight up front with Norris and Verstappen.