F1: Briton George Russell (Mercedes) wins the Austrian GP, ​​Verstappen 5th

George Russell (Mercedes) won the race the Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, taking advantage of a collision between Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who finished fifth, and Lando Norris (McLaren), who finished fifth. give up 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.

The 26-year-old driver thus achieved the second victory of his career after that obtained in Brazil at the end of 2022, the latest for the German team.

Russell took advantage of the battle between Verstappen and Norris which raged with around ten laps remaining and which ended on the 64th 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 held responsible for the accident and who received a minor ten-second penalty, was able to restart after changing tires, the Briton was unable to leave the pits because his wing was also damaged.

Even though victory eluded him, Verstappen still had a good run as he increased his championship lead over Norris by 12 points, to 81 points.

Oscar Piastri, who had a remarkable race, finished in second place, less than two seconds behind Russell, ahead of Sainz, who was delighted to secure a podium after another difficult weekend for the Scuderia.

His teammate Charles Leclerc's race was indeed ruined from the first corner, when Piastri hit him and damaged his front wing, forcing the Monegasque to return to the pits to change it and say goodbye to a good result, even if he managed to climb from 20th to 11th place.

German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) created a surprise by snatching sixth place after overtaking Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at the very end of the race.

Dane Kevin Magnussen took an unexpected eighth place at the wheel of the second Haas, while Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Racing Bulls), threatened with losing his drive after mediocre performances recently, gave himself some respite by finishing in ninth position.

After having placed 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 and 12th respectively.

The two French drivers once again gave their team the cold sweats when they nearly collided while overtaking Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) halfway through the race: Ocon went a bit wide and forced Gasly off the track, even though 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.

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