Russell handed win after Norris and Verstappen clash

The record books will show that this race was won by George Russell in a Mercedes, with Oscar Piastri second for McLaren and Carlos Sainz third for Ferrari. It is Russell's second F1 victory and the first for his team since the 26-year-old from King's Lynn took the flag in Brazil in 2022.

- Giles Richards

For a long time great friends, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen found their relationship severely tested in the simmering heat of the Styrian mountains at the Austrian Grand Prix, a reminder of how when the visor comes down winning is all and sometimes that comes at a cost.

Aware of the gift horse adage after a 33-race wait, both Russell and Mercedes relished what was an entirely unexpected victory.

They will be among the few who remember the race for that win, as what mattered in Austria was that Russell inherited the place after an ill-tempered and calamitously costly battle between Norris and Verstappen. Neither driver would give quarter and ultimately neither won, as the natural amphitheatre of the Red Bull Ring echoed to their aggrieved complaints against one another.

Both asserted that it was they who was in the right in the decisive moments. Norris dismissed Verstappen's driving as dangerous and a fuming Verstappen countered with the claim that Norris was dive-bombing him through the contended corner at turn three.