Unstoppable George Russell Snaps Mercedes' Winless Streak in Thrilling Austrian GP

For the first time in 33 races, Mercedes is back on top, thanks to a stunning performance by George Russell at the dramatic Austrian Grand Prix. In a race that saw Max Verstappen missing the podium at Red Bull's home circuit for the first time since 2020, Russell capitalized on the chaos to land his second career win. Want to dive into the numbers and details that made this race unforgettable? Here’s the complete round-up.

Russell's Triumph: A Finish for the Ages

Russell's victory was punctuated by a razor-thin 1.906-second margin over Oscar Piastri, making it the season's second closest finish after Verstappen's 0.725-second win at Imola. This win marked Russell's second career victory and his first-ever podium finish at the Red Bull Ring. Talk about timing—Mercedes had been in a 33-race winless drought since Russell last emerged victorious at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Not only did this win bring joy to Mercedes fans, but it also made Mercedes the fourth different constructor to clinch a win this season, showcasing how competitive the grid has become. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri’s consistent performance saw him finishing second, a position he'd previously achieved at Qatar 2023 and Monaco 2024.

Key Highlights and Surprises

• Carlos Sainz secured P3 for Ferrari, a breakthrough podium finish at Red Bull Ring after 11 prior attempts without success.
• Lewis Hamilton proved that he's still got it by finishing P4 for Mercedes, marking his third consecutive top-four finish following a barren first eight races of the season.
• Max Verstappen had a less than stellar day, finishing P5 and breaking his streak of five consecutive podiums at the Red Bull Ring. Despite leading 62 of the 71 laps, victory slipped from his grasp.

One significant performance came from Nico Hulkenberg, who finished P6 for Haas—his best result since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. This also marked Haas' best two-car result since Austria 2022 with Kevin Magnussen finishing P8. Hulkenberg also finished P6 in last year's Austria Sprint, showing his familiarity with the track paid off.

Missed Opportunities and Consistent Players

It wasn't all rosy for Red Bull. Sergio Perez continued his podium drought, finishing P7, getting his sixth consecutive race without a top-three finish. Also fighting for every point, Daniel Ricciardo took P9 for Red Bull, securing points for the second time in three Grands Prix.

Meanwhile, McLaren faced a hiccup as Lando Norris retired, breaking McLaren's streak as the only team without a retirement in 2024. On the other end of the spectrum, Pierre Gasly continued his consistent run, finishing P10 for Alpine, making it his fourth consecutive points finish—a consistent streak reminiscent of early 2021.

Unfortunate Ends and Redemption

While the race brought smiles to many, it wasn’t a happy ending for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished P11 and failed to score for the second time in the last three Grands Prix. The unexpected results at Austria have surely shaken up the Constructors' and Drivers' Championship standings, making the upcoming races even more thrilling.

This result showcases the unpredictable, drama-filled nature of Formula 1 that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Whether it's the resurrection of Mercedes, Verstappen's surprising struggles, or the consistent underdog performances by other teams, this season promises to be a nail-biter till the end.