In a hard-fought duel, Norris and Verstappen collided shortly before the end of the race. Verstappen was blamed for the contact. The race was over for Norris, while the 26-year-old Dutchman was able to continue driving and finished fifth. After the eleventh of 24 races of the season, the three-time world champion in the Red Bull is now 81 points ahead of Norris and is even more clearly in the lead than before.
Norris and Verstappen have been good friends for years and often fly together to their adopted home of Monaco after races. Both have spent their free time together there in the past and documented it on social media. The relationship between the two is now strained after the avoidable accident.
Russell wins thrilling Austrian race
George Russell (Mercedes) won the Austrian Grand Prix. For a long time there was a thrilling duel at the front between Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lando Norris (McLaren). However, Norris retired after contact with Verstappen.
Norris does not see his own mistakes
“He ruined his own race too, not just mine. It wasn’t my fault,” said Norris. “I’m just disappointed. I was looking forward to a fair fight, but it wasn’t.” McLaren team boss Andrea Stella agreed. “We have so much respect for Red Bull and Max, they don’t have to do something like that,” said the Italian. “That’s one way to damage your reputation.”
The main criticism was that Verstappen reacted to the movements of Norris’ car in the corners after braking. This is prohibited according to the regulations. Verstappen received a ten-second time penalty for causing the accident.
more on the subject
Russell inherits victory in Spielberg
Mercedes celebrates end of long dry spell
At Mercedes, there was euphoria after George Russell’s surprise victory, but also humility. “We currently need a crash from two drivers at the front to win. But it’s just good to have this victory in the bag,” said team boss Toto Wolff happily after the unexpected success. In Styria, an almost eternal dry spell for the Silver Arrows came to an end.
Since November 2022, when Russell celebrated his only Grand Prix victory in Brazil until Sunday, no Mercedes driver has stood on the top podium. The longed-for success for the former industry leader eluded him for 33 races. In Spielberg, Russell was on his way to third place, which, according to Wolff, would have been a “solid result” and would have matched the car’s performance. Seven laps before the end of the race, the crash of the previously superior leading duo caused satisfied faces in the Mercedes pit.
Wolff scream endangers Russell victory
At that moment, however, Wolff made a faux pas that almost had serious consequences. “That is the stupidest thing I have done in twelve years at Mercedes,” said the Viennese after the race. He immediately and loudly informed Russell over the radio that he could win the Grand Prix. However, the Briton was braking at that point at a speed of 320 km/h. “I almost crashed when he screamed that in my ears. It was that loud,” said Russell, laughing. “But it shows the passion that we all share.”
IMAGO/Sipa USA/Alessio De Marco Mercedes team boss Wolff celebrated, but also knew how to classify George Russell’s victory
Wolff just shook his head. “I will always be ashamed of it. Because you pay attention to where you radio the driver. I just let myself get carried away by the situation,” said the 52-year-old, adding: “It was embarrassing.” Nevertheless, Wolff was able to celebrate the first home victory in four years, which gave the team “a lot of momentum.” Even though record world champion Lewis Hamilton was not at all happy with his fourth place after problems with the underbody.
The gap is narrowing
The gap to the leader is still around two tenths of a second, said Wolff. Mercedes will certainly make upgrades to the car to close the gap to Verstappen. This will also happen at the upcoming Grand Prix in Silverstone on Sunday (4 p.m., live on ORF1). In the World Championship standings, Russell and Hamilton are still only seventh and eighth, but in the last three races the two have always finished in the top four.
Russell celebrated his triumph for a long time. The 26-year-old Brit was thrown into the air by his teammates after the victory photo, and there was also a champagne shower. Then came the flight home in Fernando Alonso’s private jet and a small party. “I want to celebrate this victory because these moments are not a given. But it won’t be as big as Lando’s celebration. Even if it’s only 50 percent of that, it will be a decent night,” stressed Russell, alluding to the long party night of Miami winner Norris.
Wolff was asked after the race whether the victory could be an argument for Verstappen to switch to Mercedes. “We have to keep looking at ourselves and do everything we can to ensure that we have a car that can keep up with the two at the top,” said Wolff. “We can be a haven for the best drivers, including Max. But we are not there yet. If I were him, I would not consider such a step yet.”
Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg
Final result (71 laps = 306.452 km): 1. George Russell GBR Mercedes 1:24:22.798 2. Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren + 1.906 3. Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 4.533 4. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 23.142 5. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 37.253 6. Nico Hülkenberg GER Haas 54.088 7. Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 54.672 8. Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas 1:00.355 9. Daniel Ricciardo AUS RB 1:01.169 10. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine 1:01.766 11. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 1:07.056 12. Esteban Ocon FRA Alpine 1:08.325 13. Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin 1 lap 14. Yuki Tsunoda JPN RB 1 lap 15. Alexander Albon THA Williams 1 lap 16. Valtteri Bottas FIN Sauber 1 lap 17. Zhou Ganyou CHN Sauber 1 lap 18. Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin 1 lap 19. Logan Sargeant USA Williams 2 laps
