July 01, (THEWILL) – George Russell clinched an unexpected victory for Mercedes in the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, capitalising on a late-race collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The dramatic turn of events saw Russell climb from his third-place starting position to claim the top spot on the podium.
Verstappen, who had started from pole and led for much of the race, found himself relegated to fifth place following the incident. Norris, engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, was forced to retire his McLaren after the collision, dashing his hopes of victory.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate, seized the opportunity to secure second place, marking a strong result for McLaren despite the disappointment of Norris’s retirement. Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium, bringing his Ferrari home in third position.
Russell expressed his elation post-race, acknowledging the challenge of starting from third and praising his team’s efforts. He highlighted the intensity of the battle, noting that he had been keeping an eye on the big screen to track Norris’s attempts to claim the win.
The British driver’s triumph marks Mercedes’ first victory since the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, signalling a potential resurgence for the team. Russell’s win injects fresh excitement into the 2024 Formula 1 season, promising more thrilling races to come.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
