George Russell ended Mercedes’ win drought at the Austrian GP after a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris

George Russell’s unexpected triumph in the Austrian GP will certainly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the 2022 Formula 1 season. The contentious collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the closing stages of the race not only reshaped the outcome of the event but also stirred up a whirlwind of emotions and post-race discussions. While Verstappen was found at fault and handed a 10-second penalty, which did not alter his fifth-place result, Norris was forced to retire from the race due to the collision.

This turn of events paved the way for George Russell to claim his first win for Mercedes, ending the team’s victory drought since November 2022. Russell, who had run third for most of the race, capitalized on the drama ahead to secure a stunning victory, marking a significant achievement in his F1 career.

The Austrian GP also saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finishing in a close second place, despite dropping from third to seventh on the grid after a track limits penalty during qualifying. Additionally, Carlos Sainz managed to secure the final podium spot, outperforming Lewis Hamilton in an otherwise disappointing weekend for Ferrari.

The thrilling race also brought unexpected success for the Haas team, with Nico Hulkenberg finishing in sixth place and Kevin Magnussen in eighth. This impressive performance contributed to a substantial points haul for the team, propelling them to seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship.

With Verstappen extending his championship lead over Norris by 81 points, the stage is set for an exhilarating British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The intense battles and controversies at the Red Bull Ring have undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming races.

Despite the complexities and controversies that unfolded during the Austrian GP, George Russell’s remarkable victory stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 and the unwavering determination of drivers and teams to seize opportunities in the heat of competition.

Austrian GP Result

Driver	Team	Time
1) George Russell	Mercedes	1:24.22.798
2) Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.906
3) Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	+4.533
4) Lewis Hamilon	Mercedes	+23.142
5) Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+37.253
6) Nico Hulkenberg	Haas	+54.088
7) Sergio Perez	Red Bull	+54.672
8) Kevin Magnussen	Haas	+60.355
9) Daniel Ricciardo	RB	+61.169
10) Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+61.766
11) Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+67.056
12) Esteban Ocon	Alpine	+68.325
13) Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+1 lap
14) Yuki Tsunoda	RB	+1 lap
15) Alex Albon	Williams	+1 lap
16) Valtteri Bottas	Sauber	+1 lap
17) Zhou Guanyu	Sauber	+1 lap
18) Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1 lap
19) Logan Sargeant	Williams	+2 laps
20) Lando Norris	McLaren	+7 laps