George Russell won the F1 Austrian Grand Prix after late drama saw Lando Norris and Max Verstappen wiped out of contention.
After a ding-dong battle lasting several laps, during which both drivers complained about the other over their race radio, McLaren driver Norris tried to pass the Dutchman for the lead on lap 62 of 71 but Verstappen held his line which saw the two cars collide and both leave the track.
Verstappen’s Red Bull lost a rear tyre and limped back to the pits while Norris did likewise before being forced to retire with damage sustained in the incident.
Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for his part and dropped down to fifth.
P1!!!! “You can win this thing” 😂😂
YES TEAM!! PIC.TWITTER.COM/E0IG2EJBG3— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) JUNE 30, 2024
Russell, who started third on the grid, took over the lead and saw out the final nine laps, holding off the challenge of the fast-finishing Oscar Piastri, who started in seventh in the other McLaren, with the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in third.
Russell crossed the line to claim Mercedes’ first win in 36 Grand Prix, since Russell took the chequered flag in Brazil in 2022.
His teammate Lewis Hamilton was fourth, despite a five-second penalty for a pit violation on his first stop, with Verstappen finishing in fifth, still more than 23 seconds ahead of Niko Hulkenberg, despite his penalty.
Verstappen had looked like he was on course for a routine victory with a seven second advantage at one point, but complained about a loss of grip in the closing stages as Norris closed the gap.
Norris had a quicker final pit stop and fitted new tyres while Verstappen used tyres which had been used for three previous laps. He emerged from the pit lane with a 1.7 second advantage but that had disappeared within two laps.
Norris did pass on the 59th lap but ran off the track on exit, earning him a five-second penalty for repeated abuse of track limits.
The critical moment came when Norris attacked on the outside but Verstappen moved across as they approached the apex of the corner. Both cars suffered punctures but though Verstappen’s tyre stayed intact, Norris did not, causing his bodywork irreparable damage.
Finishing fifth means Verstappen extends his lead to 81 points over Norris ahead of next weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The into pose returns 😄😄 PIC.TWITTER.COM/AARODSYSWM
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) JUNE 30, 2024
