
Photo Credit: Getty Images
George Russell claimed his second win of the season after keeping Max Verstappen behind him to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Mercedes driver started from pole position and stayed in front throughout the race, taking the chequered flag 1.6 seconds ahead of Verstappen. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third after closing in on Verstappen in the final laps.
The result gives Russell his second win of the season and reduces Antonelli's lead in the championship to 40 points.
Russell's weekend got off to a strong start after securing pole in a dramatic qualifying session. Verstappen crashed at Turn Nine on his final flying lap, bringing out yellow flags. Russell, who was immediately behind him, slowed before completing his lap to take pole position.
"The lap was unbelievable," Russell said. "I don't know where it came from. I saw the single yellows and made a big lift off in mid-corner. I saw the green flag. I lost a lot of time, three or four tenths or more."
Verstappen later questioned the use of single yellow flags following his crash.
"I've only just heard of this, just now. And to me that's quite crazy," he said.
Antonelli admitted he had misunderstood the warning.
"I thought it was a double yellow, so I aborted completely and I missed the front row. It was my mistake," he said. "It was a bit confusing."
On race day, Russell made a clean start and controlled the race from the front. Verstappen eventually moved into second after battling Lewis Hamilton, while Ferrari's strategy dropped Hamilton to fifth at the finish. Oscar Piastri came home fourth.
Verstappen cut the gap to Russell during the closing stages but was never close enough to attempt an overtake. Instead, he had to focus on Antonelli, who was quickly catching him in the fight for second.
After taking the win, Russell celebrated over the team radio, saying, "Yabba-dabba-doo!"
Formula 1 now heads to Silverstone for next weekend's British Grand Prix.

