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Mercedes Wins in Austria After Thrilling Race Finale
In what seemed destined to be another victory for Max Verstappen, the Austrian Grand Prix, the 11th race of the Formula 1 World Championship, concluded with a dramatic twist, paving the way for George Russell to claim a stunning victory for Mercedes.
The Dutch driver, racing on his home track at the Red Bull Ring, had a near-perfect weekend, leading for most of the race. However, a collision with Lando Norris of McLaren upended the race and cleared the path for Russell’s victory.
Starting from pole position, Verstappen quickly distanced himself from the chasing pack. The race only became interesting when Verstappen began complaining about his hard tires, despite holding a comfortable seven-second lead over Norris.
On lap 51, Verstappen pitted for medium tires, and Norris seized the opportunity to do the same. The Red Bull team’s extended pit stop gave Norris the edge, and he managed to overtake Verstappen. However, Norris exceeded track limits in the process and, anticipating a penalty, allowed Verstappen to retake the lead.
The tension between the two drivers mounted, with Norris accusing Verstappen of excessive movement in the braking zone and Verstappen blaming Norris. The conflict culminated on lap 64 when the two collided, causing significant damage to both cars. Norris was forced to retire from the race, while Verstappen continued after a pit stop but received a ten-second penalty.
This chaotic turn of events opened the door for George Russell, who seized the opportunity to claim victory for Mercedes, their first win since November 2022. Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished second, just 1.906 seconds behind, while Carlos Sainz of Ferrari rounded out the podium, finishing 4.533 seconds behind the leader.
Despite missing out on the win, Verstappen had reason to smile as he finished in fifth place and extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship. The Dutchman now has 237 points, 81 more than Norris and 87 more than Charles Leclerc, who finished 11th after pitting four times during the race.
Race Highlights:
- George Russell (Mercedes): Clinched victory after taking advantage of the collision between Verstappen and Norris.
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): Secured second place, finishing just 1.906 seconds behind Russell.
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari): Completed the podium in third place, 4.533 seconds behind Russell.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): Finished fifth, extending his championship lead despite a ten-second penalty.
- Lando Norris (McLaren): Forced to retire after a collision with Verstappen.
Championship Standings:
- Max Verstappen: 237 points
- Lando Norris: 156 points
- Charles Leclerc: 150 points (finished 11th)
The Austrian Grand Prix delivered a thrilling and unexpected result, shaking up the championship and highlighting the unpredictable nature of Formula 1. Fans now eagerly await the next race to see if Mercedes can continue their newfound momentum or if Verstappen will reclaim his dominance on the track.