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
Oscar Piastri reacts to second at Austrian Grand Prix
“There are a lot of ifs and maybes... That’s only my fourth podium in Formula 1.
“So close to a win, it hurts a little bit. But happy with another podium.
“It can’t help but hurt a little bit. We’ll see it as a place of good memories [at Silverstone].
“We’re in the mix. It’s a track we always enjoy as a team.”
Carlos Sainz reacts to third at Austrian Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz: "Quite an eventful race up front, trying to keep up with George.
“Oscar was coming really quick, P3 is a really good result.
“Happy days for F1 that there is a bit of action. Unfortunately for us we’re coming back from a couple of tough races.
“We’re trying to come back on form at Silverstone. We will keep pushing flat out to stay in the fight.”
George Russell reacts to stunning Austrian Grand Prix victory
It’s Russell’s second-ever F1 victory after the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“It’s not over until it’s over,” says Russell. “Great job!”
“You got very excited there, Toto. Well done, everybody, we wouldn’t have thought this in Bahrain, well done!”
Russell wins the Austrian Grand Prix (Lap 71/71)
He’s done it! Russell wins the Austrian Grand Prix!
Piastri in second, Sainz in third.
Hamilton claims fourth and Verstappen reduces the damage with a hard-fought fifth.
Russell leads with Verstappen back up to fifth (Lap 69/71)
Verstappen has a point in his pocket for the fastest lap of the Grand Prix, he’s up to fifth.
A smile from Wolff in the garage, Mercedes are licking their lips here, what an opportunity.
It’s a 2.488 gap back to a fast Piastri, but he’s running out of time!
Into the penultimate lap... Just 19 cars remain!
1-10: Russell, Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Gasly
George Russell has a three-second lead (Lap 67/71)
Russell has a three-second gap to Piastri behind him - is the Brit on track for his third win in F1?!
Verstappen down in fifth, 11 seconds behind Hamilton in fourth, on soft tyres.
And Verstappen gets a 10-second penalty for the Norris collision!
1-10: Russell, Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Gasly
Lando Norris retires (Lap 66/71)
Norris has too much damage - he’s out of the race!
Wow! Can you believe this?
Oscar Piastri is in second, with Carlos Sainz in third - Rusell has a 2.5 sec lead!
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen crash! (Lap 65/71)
UNBELIEVABLE!
Norris and Verstappen crash at turn 3 - and they both have a puncture!
They both limp to the pits - but George Russell now leads the Austrian Grand Prix! Incredible!
Verstappen drops to fifth, while Norris has actually retired! It’s done!
Norris dives down the inside again! (lap 63/71)
Norris goes down the inside and Verstappen goes off track but keeps the lead!
Norris: “He has to give the position back and I was ahead at the apex!”
Verstappen: “He forced me off again! He’s just dive-bombing, it’s not overtaking!”
Lando Norris still can’t get past! (Lap 61/71)
What a fight this is!
Norris can’t squeeze past right now, and is under investigation for track limits...
His best bet is to get ahead and try to stretch his lead by five seconds!
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