The Austrian Grand Prix produced a surprising climax, with George Russell emerging victorious after a prolonged duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris ended with both of them pitting with a damaged tyre. While Red Bull’s Dutch driver managed to get going again and finish fifth, McLaren’s Englishman had to retire. Russell thus ends a winless streak for both himself and Mercedes which lasted for 34 Grands Prix and 595 days, dating back to Brazil in 2022. This is Russell’s second Formula 1 win, while for Mercedes it’s number 126. Joining him on the podium were Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari).
As expected, the most effective strategy was a two-stop: those who did three or more – Verstappen, Leclerc, Alonso and Sargeant – did so for unforeseen circumstances, not by choice. All the drivers lined up on the grid on Medium tyres while, starting from pit lane, Zhou went with the Hard. The C4 and the C3 were the undoubted protagonists of this race, with the C5 only putting in an appearance at the end, used by Verstappen for the last seven laps after his enforced stop and by Alonso, who was trying for the race fastest lap, which he did indeed set. Daniel Ricciardo drove the longest stint of the race, completing a 34 lap third and final stint on the Hard tyre. The prize on Mediums goes to Pierre Gasly who did 29 laps and in this case too, the French Alpine driver did it in his final stint.
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing on the grid. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, Austrian Grand Prix, Saturday 29th June 2024. Spielberg, Austria.RED BULL RING, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24, leads Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, and Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB 01 during the Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring on Sunday June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images)RED BULL RING, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, leads Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, and Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24 during the Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring on Sunday June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)RED BULL RING, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, leads Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, and the remainder of the field away at the start during the Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring on Sunday June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images)SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 29: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406290552 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300338 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300430 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300323 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300562 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300563 // Usage for editorial use only //SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406300403 // Usage for editorial use only //55 SAINZ Carlos (spa), Scuderia Ferrari SF-24, action during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix 2024, 11th round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship from June 28 to 30, 2024 on the Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, Austria – Photo Xavi Bonilla / DPPISAINZ Carlos (spa), Scuderia Ferrari SF-24, portrait during the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix 2024, 11th round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship from June 28 to 30, 2024 on the Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, Austria – Photo Florent Gooden / DPPIOscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, 2nd position, arrives in Parc FermeLando Norris, McLaren MCL38, leads George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, and Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-242024 Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday – LAT ImagesEsteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A524 and Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A524. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday 30th June 2024. Spielberg, Austria.Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A524. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday 30th June 2024. Spielberg, Austria.2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday – LAT Images2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Sunday – LAT Images
