This is only George Russell’s second F1 win (Photo: Getty)
George Russell claimed a shock win at the Austrian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided in the final few laps.
Verstappen and Norris were tussling for victory all race, with the Brit closing the gap in the dying stages, but with just seven laps to go their fierce battle got too close.
The pair collided as the McLaren driver attempted to take the lead, with both getting punctures and limping back to the pits.
Russell inherited the lead and took the chequered flag to claim only his second ever Formula 1 victory and Mercedes’ first since the Brit’s triumph in Brazil 2022.
He was joined on the podium by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri second and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third, with the other Mercedes of Sir Lewis Hamilton fourth.
Verstappen recovered to finish fifth at Red Bull’s home race and was slapped with a 10-second penalty for causing the crash, but a visibly and audibly furious Norris was forced to retire.
‘Incredible. It was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race just to hold onto P3,’ Russell said afterward.
‘The team have done an amazing job to put us in this fight. You’ve got to be there to pick up the pieces and that’s where we were.
‘I saw Max and Lando were going pretty hard and I knew Lando would want that win.
‘I couldn’t believe how close we were to Lando and Max. We were only about 12 seconds behind and I knew it [the collision] was a possibility. You are always dreaming.
‘Just so proud to be back on the top step. We have made so many strides since the start of the season. The last few races have been incredible. More to come.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.