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[SPORTS] · Austria, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy · 100 sources

George Russell wins Austrian Grand Prix, retakes championship second place

Mercedes driver George Russell claimed victory at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, finishing 1.6 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with teammate Kimi Antonelli completing the podium. The win gave Russell 131 points, moving him back into second place in the drivers’ championship, 40 points behind leader Antonelli, and propelled Mercedes to the lead in the constructors’ standings.

Russell had also taken pole position in qualifying after a controversial single‑yellow‑flag lap following Verstappen’s crash. The FIA investigated the lap but concluded the British driver had slowed sufficiently, so the pole stood.

The race was run in extreme heat, with track temperatures around 50 °C, and attracted a record 320,000 spectators over the weekend. Safety services reported no serious injuries despite several minor incidents and a few drone detections.

Ferrari struggled with tyre strategy, dropping to fifth in the race, while Lewis Hamilton finished fifth overall. The event marked a pivotal moment in the 2026 season, tightening the title fight among Russell, Antonelli and Verstappen.

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