Russell beats Verstappen at Austrian Grand Prix to boost F1 title hopes

Russell beats Verstappen at Austrian Grand Prix to boost F1 title hopes George Russell’s victory over Max Verstappen further reduces teammate Kimi Antonelli’s lead in the drivers’ title race. A thirsty George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday to trim Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s Formula One championship lead to 40 points. Max Verstappen finished 1.6 seconds adrift, after crashing in qualifying and starting fifth, at his Red Bull team’s home circuit with Antonelli third and 0.3 behind after a thrilling chase to the line at scenic Spielberg. Recommended Stories list of 4 items- list 1 of 4World Cup: Top 5 biggest takeaways from the group stage - list 2 of 4FIFA World Cup 2026: How can your team reach the final?This article will be opened in a new browser window - list 3 of 4World Cup: Top 5 high-profile VAR and officiating controversies so far - list 4 of 4FIFA World Cup Day 18: Knockout bracket set as round of 32 gets under way The win was Russell’s second of the season, after he took the opener in Australia, his career seventh and Mercedes’ seventh in eight rounds so far. Antonelli has 171 points to Russell’s 131 with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, fifth on Sunday after running second and battling Verstappen wheel-to-wheel, dropping to third on 125. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes have 302 points to Ferrari’s 204. “Incredible to be back on the top step. It’s been a little while, so I am definitely going to enjoy this one this evening,” said Russell, who can now head to his home British GP at Silverstone next weekend on a high. He revealed over the radio after taking the chequered flag that his drinks system had failed during the race, the first of the season to be declared a “heat hazard”. “Nice race for it to do so, I’m a little bit thirsty,” he said. Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren, ahead of Hamilton, with Isack Hadjar sixth for Red Bull. Reigning champion Lando Norris, last year’s winner in Austria, was seventh with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc eighth and Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad completing the top 10. “I was having to push every single lap and when you push those boundaries there’s bound to be a small mistake or two,” said Russell. “I knew how quick the guys were behind. Kimi has been extraordinarily quick this whole season, so every lap I was looking at the timing board.”