F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell claims stunning win after Lando Norris and Max Verstappen crash
Follow live updates from the Red Bull Ring as Verstappen starts on pole position at Red Bull’s home race
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Max Verstappen followed up his sprint victory by securing pole position for Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix.
On Red Bull’s home turf in Spielberg, and cheered on by 40,000 travelling Dutch fans, Verstappen blew away his rivals to take top spot.
The world champion produced a scintillating lap of the shortest track on the Formula One calendar to finish 0.404 seconds clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris, with George Russell third for Mercedes. Carlos Sainz finished fourth with Lewis Hamilton fifth.
“It is a great feeling and the team has worked hard to make the car competitive,” said Verstappen after landing his fourth straight pole at the Red Bull Ring. “This is a great statement and hopefully we can show that again tomorrow in the race.”
Follow live updates from the Austrian Grand Prix with The Independent
Christian Horner on Verstappen-Norris incident:
“For me it looked like there was enough space for Lando, he already had the four strikes for track limits. One of those things.
“You’ve got hard racers, Lando was getting his elbows out, there’s been contact before with them. In the end it cost both of them.
“He picked up a puncture, picked up a penalty – thought the penalty was harsh. That’s racing sometimes. We had an incredible win yesterday controlling the race nicely, but that’s Formula One.”
Max Verstappen refuses to take blame for Lando Norris crash: ‘I know what I’m doing’
Max Verstappen refused to fully take the blame for the crash with Lando Norris which saw both men miss out on a race win at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The leading duo were fighting for the lead of the race, with Norris complaining twice about Verstappen moving in the braking zone as he vied for first place.
Then, on lap 64, Norris and Verstappen collided at turn 3 and both sustained punctures, allowing George Russell to come through and win the F1 race at the Red Bull Ring.
Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty by the stewards but still finished fifth, while Norris was unable to complete the race due to damage to his McLaren car.
Speaking afterwards, an angry Norris blamed Verstappen for “ruining his race” but Verstappen, in his response, did not take blame for the incident.
Full quotes below:
Max Verstappen refuses to take blame for Lando Norris crash: ‘I know what I’m doing’
The Red Bull driver collided with Norris’ McLaren as both drivers missed out on a win in Austria
Fuming Lando Norris slams friend Max Verstappen for ‘ruining his race’ after dramatic collision
Lando Norris was furious at Max Verstappen for “ruining his race” after the pair collided towards the end of a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix.
The leading duo were fighting for the lead of the race, with Norris complaining twice about Verstappen moving in the braking zone as he vied for first place.
Then, on lap 64, Norris and Verstappen collided at turn 3 and both sustained punctures, allowing George Russell to come through and win the race at the Red Bull Ring.
Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty by the stewards but still finished fifth, while Norris was unable to complete the race due to damage to his McLaren car.
Full quotes below:
Fuming Lando Norris slams friend Max Verstappen for ‘ruining his race’
The Brit gave his reaction after the pair crashed into each other at the end of the Austrian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen gives his reaction now:
“From the outside, it’s hard to see where I brake. In the past, it’s been a complaint. Now, I always move my wheel when I brake - it’s easy to say but I think the guy in the car knows what he’s doing.
On pundits thinking he was to blame, he said: “Everyone can have their opinion, I’m the one driving, best in control! From the outside, it’s easy to judge and comment.
“I felt like these divebombs... one time he went straight, one time I had to go around the sausage [kerb], the shape of the corner provides these kind of issues. It is what it is, it’s never nice to come together.
“I need to look back at how and why we touched, of course we’ll talk about it. It was just unfortunate we touched.
“This incident, this is just one thing. We look at the race, we did a lot of things wrong - strategy and pit stops. The first stint was not too bad, then it became worse and worse. We need to look into the car and see what went wrong during the race. “
Lando Norris’ reaction after that crash with Max Verstappen:
“I don’t know what to say... disappointed. A good race. I looked forward to a strong, fair battle but I wouldn’t say that’s what it was in the end. Mistake-free race from my side, thought I did a good job.
On Verstappen moving in the braking zone: “There’s a rule, you’re not allowed to react to another driver, three out of three - two times I avoided it, third time he ran into me.
“He was clearly slower at the end, he ruined his own race as much as he ruined mine. Nothing more I can do. Got ruined through not my fault.
“There’s rules, if the rules aren’t followed, nothing I can do about that. Do my job, go out and drive fast. From my side, just carry on doing what I’m doing. I’’m happy with my improvements from yesterday to today and onto Silverstone.
On whether he’ll talk to Verstappen: “It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, I’ll lose a lot of respect for that.
“If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me, and being reckless, then I’ll have a small amount of respect! It’s still a tough one to take, fighting for the win. Gutred for the team.”
Max Verstappen reacts to Lando Norris crash
“Sure,” Verstappen says when informed he will incur a 10-second penalty. “That’s just ridiculous, you can send it left and right, what do you want me to do?”
Red Bull respond and claim that the Dutch driver was “desperately unlucky.”
George Russell reacts after winning dramatic Austrian Grand Prix
“It’s no secret that Max and the McLaren are a little bit out in front, but if anything happens we’re there to pick it up.
“We’re riding a bit of a wave, these last few races have been incredible.
“So proud to be back on the top step.”
George Russell reacts after winning dramatic Austrian Grand Prix
“It was a tough race, holding onto P3. The team has done an amazing job, you’ve got to be there to pick up the pieces and that’s what we did.
“They were going for it, I couldn’t believe how close we were, I knew it was a possibility. So proud to be back on the top step.
“We’ve made so many strides. The last few races have been incredible.”
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