In a stunning turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell claimed an unexpected victory following a dramatic collision between race leaders Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

The race began with Verstappen, starting from pole position, maintaining a strong lead for the majority of the event. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically after the final pit stops on Lap 52. A rare slow stop for Red Bull, due to an issue with Verstappen’s left rear wheel, allowed McLaren’s Norris to close the gap to less than two seconds.

What followed was an intense battle for the lead, with Norris making multiple attempts to overtake Verstappen. The climax came on Lap 64 when the two drivers made contact, resulting in punctures for both cars and forcing them to limp back to the pits.

This unexpected turn of events opened the door for Russell, who had been running in third place, to take the lead. The Mercedes driver held onto this position until the checkered flag, securing the second Formula 1 victory of his career.

Despite the disappointment for McLaren regarding Norris, the team found some consolation as Oscar Piastri finished in second place. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari rounded out the podium in third. Lewis Hamilton, Russell’s teammate, came in fourth, while Verstappen managed to salvage fifth place despite receiving a 10-second penalty for the incident with Norris.

Further down the field, Haas had a strong showing with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen finishing sixth and eighth respectively. Sergio Perez of Red Bull took seventh, Daniel Ricciardo secured ninth for RB, and Pierre Gasly of Alpine completed the top ten.

The race was marked by several other notable moments, including Charles Leclerc’s recovery drive from a first-lap incident to finish 11th, and a close battle between Alpine teammates Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

It was a challenging day for Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll leading their charge in 13th place. Fernando Alonso, despite setting the fastest lap, finished a disappointing 18th after struggling with pace and receiving a penalty.

Lando Norris, who had shown great promise throughout the race, ultimately retired due to the damage sustained in his collision with Verstappen, bringing a premature end to what could have been a triumphant day for McLaren