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Russell wins in Austria
George Russell won the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday at the Red Bull Ring, taking victory from pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.
“A thirsty George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday to trim Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s Formula One championship lead to 40 points”
Russell’s win cut Antonelli’s championship lead to 40 points, after Antonelli had been on 171 points to Russell’s 131 and Verstappen finished 1.6 seconds adrift.
Hamilton finished fifth after starting third on the grid, and he said Ferrari’s underwhelming performance at the Austrian Grand Prix was “more of a reality check.”
Hamilton described his own race as suffering from a lack of pace, high tyre degradation and overheating as Mercedes adopted a three-stop strategy that did not pay off, while Fred Vasseur said Ferrari “didn’t have the pace to fight with the Mercedes and Max.”
Quotes and title pressure
After Russell’s chequered-flag moment, he said, “Incredible to be back on the top step,” and he also revealed over the radio that his drinks system had failed during the race, the first of the season to be declared a “heat hazard.”
Verstappen, who started fifth after crashing in qualifying, finished second and said, “To be second and close to a win I think is extremely positive for us.”
Hamilton said he enjoyed a spirited fight with Verstappen early on, and he told reporters, “It was great, it was a good run, good fun,” after the stewards judged the racing fair.
BBC framed the result as relief for Russell as he returned to winning ways, noting his win was his first since the opening race of the season in Australia nearly four months ago.
What comes next
With Russell’s victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, the next race is one weekend away on July 5 in Britain, as the title fight remains tight with Antonelli leading Russell by 40 points.
“AUSTRIA LOWDOWN: All the key moments as Russell triumphs, Verstappen impresses and Ferrari struggle George Russell returned to winning ways at the Red Bull Ring, cutting into Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli’s lead at the top of the championship standings”
NBC News said there are still 14 races to go this season, with victory awarding a maximum of 25 points for the winner, and it described Russell’s rebound as a much-needed rebound in the scorching heat of the Styrian hills.
Sky Sports reported Russell’s win reduced his championship deficit to Antonelli to 40 points and moved the Brit back up to second in the standings ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth.
BBC added that Russell was looking forward to heading to Silverstone next week, saying, “Single lap, race pace was very strong this weekend,” and he also said, “I’m sure it’s going to be great.”
