George Russell won in Austria. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

Russell wins heat spectacle in Spielberg

Mercedes driver George Russell has triumphed for the second time at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, following his victory in 2024.

June 28, 2026

From: dpa/apa

The Briton won on Sunday in Styria in extreme heat after a thrilling finish, ahead of Spielberg record holder Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third in the second Mercedes. In the overall standings, Russell reduced his deficit to the 19-year-old Italian by ten points to 40.

For Russell, it was his second victory this year; the 28-year-old had also won the opening race in Australia. "Yabadabadoo!" he exclaimed in Fred Flintstone style while still in his car, adding a little later, "Now I'm a bit thirsty." Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff immediately offered praise: "Well done, George." Russell now has a total of seven Grand Prix wins.

Ferrari's strategic gamble didn't pay off

After a dramatic qualifying session marred by a Verstappen crash, pole-sitter Russell defended his lead in the uneventful start, ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Behind them, Verstappen moved up two positions to third. While Russell initially extended his lead in 35-degree Celsius air and 51-degree track temperatures, a close race developed behind him. On lap 11 of 71, Hamilton and Verstappen engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle, with the Briton ultimately prevailing.

Hamilton and Ferrari followed behind. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Shortly after, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were the only drivers to opt for an early tire change; the competition didn't follow suit until much later. Verstappen coped brilliantly with the heat in the Murtal region, while Antonelli reported brake problems. When Carlos Sainz's Williams rolled to a stop on the start-finish straight, the Italian at least benefited slightly from the subsequent virtual safety car. Hamilton opted for a second pit stop during this period, but wasn't significantly faster on the soft compound tires and consequently lost valuable time. Furthermore, Hamilton had to change tires again as a result.

The three-way battle intensified

Verstappen steadily closed the gap to Russell. With just over half the race distance behind, the Dutchman was only about a second back and took the lead on lap 44 when Russell made a pit stop. However, Antonelli was now putting increasing pressure on the four-time world champion – a three-way battle for the win was already shaping up.

Verstappen closed in on Russell. © APA / MAX SLOVENCIK

Russell had the best chance, having re-entered the lead after Verstappen and Antonelli's pit stops. All three were on hard tires and were closing in on each other. However, the order remained unchanged, with Antonelli in third, less than two seconds behind.

The result