Formula 1

George Russell clings on to win thrilling Austrian GP from Verstappen

Fraser Masefield
4 months ago
6 min read

George Russell made the most of his pole advantage and two-stop strategy to hold off a flying Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli to win the Austrian Grand Prix.


“Yeah, Incredible to be back on the top step,” said Russell afterwards. “It’s been a little while, so I’m definitely going to enjoy this one this evening.

“A lot of hard work with my team to get us back on track. Obviously, there’s a tricky run of form at one point.”

In a race that featured thrills, spills and passes aplenty it was Russell who held his nerve despite Verstappen having a tyre advantage of unused sets after qualifying.

Antonelli closed to within 0.3s of the Dutchman in an amazing finish but it the top three remained the same.

The Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc appeared to be contenders from the outset, but their bold three-stop strategy failed to produce the desired result in the fearsome heat of the A1-Ring.

“Max and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend, so kudos to them, but, yeah, thanks to everyone. Thanks to the fans,” added Russell.

“Very toasty out there, so looking forward to a drink now!”

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THE TALE OF THE RACE

With everyone starting on the medium compound Pirelli tyre except Gabriel Bortoletto and Carlos Sainz, the start was going to be critical as always.

In the blast up the hill into Turn 1, it was Russell who maintained his advantage over the Ferraris, Hamilton making the move stick on his teammate on the outside of Turn 3.

Verstappen was the only driver on the grid with two brand new sets of mediums and two news sets of hards, and was all over the back of Antonelli, who left the track three times.

Another great exit out of Turn 4 saw the Dutchman up to third and behind arch rial Hamilton as the opening laps threw up excitement aplenty.

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An overheating Racing Bull for Liam Lawson gave an indication of just how hot the A1-Ring was and that reliability would be a key factor.

Up at the front. Hamilton wasn’t letting compatriot Russell scamper off into the distance as Verstappen set the fastest lap of the race.

And with Leclerc in energy harvesting mode having used it all in defence of his place, Antonelli swept past and into fourth.

The bad news for Ferrari continued, Hamilton complaining of understeer and under immense pressure from Verstappen.

A titanic battle ensued, wheel to wheel but clean through the chicanes, first Verstappen ahead then Hamilton regaining position. It was great stuff, the duo turning back the years.

With the race finally settling into some semblance of a rhythm, the all-important pit stops would prove as decisive as ever.

Hamilton was first of the big hitters to pit for hard Pirellis on lap 14, quickly followed by Leclerc indicating the anticipated a three stopper.

Then it was Verstappen’s turn five laps later, a smooth stop putting him back out just behind the Ferrari but with a five-lap tyre advantage.

Out in front, Russell continued his serene progress and was the last of the leaders to pit on lap 20.

Red Bull Racing and Verstappen now looked Russell’s biggest threat, the Dutchman clearing Hamilton after more fair but brilliant racing between the duo.

Then more drama. With Sainz stopping on the start/finish straight, it meant a virtual safety car and a free stop for the field bar the unlucky Antonelli, who had just pitted.

When the dust settled, Russell continued to lead the pack from Verstappen, Leclerc with Antonelli and Hamilton on another free fresh set of softs.

VERSTAPPEN PRESSURES RUSSELL TO THE FINISH, ANTONELLI CLOSE BEHIND

With the Ferraris fading from being a factor in the second half of the race due to tyre management issues in the high temperature, the race for the podium was on.

It led to a frantic finish after arguably the best race of the season, Russell making his decisive stop on lap 44 for hards to take him to the end.


Still Verstappen held the cards with fresher tyres for the final stint, and he set about reeling in the Mercedes.

Ultimately, he just ran out of laps despite being on the fresher tyres, and Russell held on for a vital win.

“I think it was, of course, a very good race for us,” said Verstappen.

“The first few laps were quite, quite plump and then it was like basically just trying to, manage your tyres and honestly, I think the car was in quite a good window for, I would say a half of the race.

“And then I just picked up a few, let’s say, issues with the car, which then prevented me from basically finding that nice rhythm. But still to be second, is as good as a win.”

It all means that Antonelli still leads the F1 drivers’ championship by 40 points from Russell with Hamilton a further six points behind.

“I was a bit too excited in the first few laps and definitely didn’t drive well,” added Antonelli. I did too many mistakes. Even the first stint on the medium I lost 3, 4 seconds with mistakes.

“I was struggling with the brakes, but since then, I mean, after I changed tyre, I reset and the pace at the end was very strong. And a real shame that I joined the park a bit too late.”

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Fraser Masefield

Fraser is a sports and motorsports editor with over 25 years experience. The former head editor of WilliamsF1, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Racing and Virgin Media, he has also worked for Autosport, ESPNF1 and Eurosport amongst others.

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