Russell starts on pole for Austrian Grand Prix aiming to reignite F1 title challenge

Russell’s pole at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg puts him back in Formula 1’s title conversation, after a controversial qualifying session. George Russell set the fastest time as a yellow flag came out for a crash involving Max Verstappen. Russell said he lifted off enough to be safe. He has not won since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, though this was his third pole since then. He lost a potential win in Canada due to a breakdown, and was beaten by Lewis Hamilton at last week’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. With Kimi Antonelli starting fourth, Russell now has an opening to cut into Mercedes teammate Hamilton’s lead. Hamilton leads Russell by 41 points and Antonelli has 50 points advantage, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Hamilton starting second and third.