2024 Austrian Grand Prix [Photo Gallery]

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.