Russell holds off Verstappen to win Austrian Grand Prix

George Russell returned to winning ways at the Austrian Grand Prix, securing a measured Mercedes victory over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a race described as a “heat hazard” at the Red Bull Ring. The 28-year-old Briton, who had won the season opener and took pole from his 11th career pole, achieved his second win of the year and seventh overall. Russell finished 1.611 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who then held off championship leader Kimi Antonelli, last in a second Mercedes, by 0.375 seconds. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was fourth, 20 seconds behind, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in fifth; Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris followed, while Leclerc placed eighth. Russell said he pushed every lap as Red Bull looked quick, trimming Antonelli’s title advantage to 40 points. Verstappen started fifth, referenced track temperatures of 62C, and said the key was managing tyres. The race featured multiple strategy swings, including retirements tied to overheating and a Virtual Safety Car after Carlos Sainz stopped on the main straight.