F1 Drama Unleashed: The Winners and Losers of the Spielberg Grand Prix

An iconic clash at Turn 3, unexpected triumphs, and dramatic downfalls—Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg had it all. As the Red Bull Ring saw George Russell clinching an emphatic win, the race weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans and drivers alike. Here's a deep dive into the biggest winners and losers of the weekend.

George Russell: The Comeback King

George Russell delivered a masterclass performance to secure his first victory of the season at the Red Bull Ring. Running third for much of the race, he was perfectly poised to capitalize when Max Verstappen and Lando Norris collided. This pivotal moment saw Russell catapult into the lead, marking Mercedes' return to the top step of the podium for the first time since the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

It was a vintage display of skill and poise from Russell, reminiscent of the promise he showed during his early days with Mercedes. Not only did he bag his second podium in three races, but he also extended his lead over teammate Lewis Hamilton by 26 points in the drivers’ standings. This win sees Mercedes as the fourth different constructor to taste victory in 2024, joining Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.

Max Verstappen: The Nearly Man

Max Verstappen's weekend started in typical dominant fashion, with the Dutchman claiming pole and winning the Sprint. However, a messy pit stop and an on-track clash with close friend Norris saw his race unravel. Despite fighting bravely, the Turn 3 incident led to punctures for both drivers, with Verstappen suffering a 10-second time penalty.

Recovery to fifth place minimized the damage to his championship aspirations, though it was a race that Verstappen will feel should have ended in his eighth win of the season. He continues to lead the standings by 81 points, but the frustration was palpable.

Oscar Piastri: The Rising Star

Oscar Piastri capitalized brilliantly on the chaos that befell Norris and Verstappen. Following an impressive run in the Sprint, Piastri secured a career-best second-place finish. While he couldn't quite catch Russell, the young Australian showcased his potential with his second podium of the season, closing the gap to Red Bull's Sergio Perez to just six points.

Lando Norris: The Unfortunate

Lando Norris was one of the strongest drivers throughout the weekend, demonstrating remarkable pace and starting the Grand Prix from the front row. However, his aggressive moves against Verstappen backfired, leading to a collision that ended his race and marked his first DNF of the season, consequently breaking his streak of finishing every race so far.

Haas: The Resurgent Force

The Haas team emerged as significant winners, securing their second double points finish of the season. Nico Hulkenberg's sixth-place finish, his best since 2019, and Kevin Magnussen's eighth, reinvigorated their season. They leapfrogged Alpine to reclaim seventh place in the constructors' championship, reigniting their battle for sixth.

Sergio Perez: The Struggler

It was another disappointing outing for Sergio Perez, who failed to make the podium for the sixth consecutive race. Qualifying woes and race-day collisions pinned back his progress, with his seventh-place finish doing little to close the points gap to his teammate, Verstappen. Perez now finds himself 119 points adrift, lagging behind both Ferrari drivers.

Daniel Ricciardo: The Fighter

Daniel Ricciardo showed resilience to claim ninth place, his second points finish in three races. Mastering the undercut and minimizing errors, the Australian outshone his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, amid rumors of potential replacement. While his future remains uncertain, performances like this bolster his case to stay in F1.

Aston Martin: The Strugglers

For Aston Martin, Austria was a race to forget. Damages and penalties plagued their weekend, with neither Lance Stroll nor Fernando Alonso scoring points. Stroll's early damage and Alonso's 10-second penalty for colliding with Zhou Guanyu summed up a frustrating encounter.

Pierre Gasly: The Solid Performer

Pierre Gasly celebrated his new multi-year deal with Alpine by finishing tenth, his fourth consecutive points finish. The Frenchman battled teammate Esteban Ocon fiercely, securing the final point and his 400th career point, an impressive milestone.

Charles Leclerc: The Disappointed

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc endured a weekend of missed opportunities. Technical issues and first-lap damage left him fighting from the back, and though he mounted a solid recovery, he finished just outside the points in 11th, leaving Spielberg with only two points from the entire race weekend.

Each racer and team shared the highs and lows of what can only be described as a classic Formula 1 race, with the Red Bull Ring delivering yet another unforgettable spectacle. Here's to the next chapter in this thrilling F1 season!