Russell wins Austrian GP, trims Antonelli's F1 lead to 40 points as Verstappen rebounds
George Russell claimed his second win of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix, holding off a charging Max Verstappen to cut Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 40 points.
Race in Spielberg
George Russell converted pole position into a controlled victory at the Red Bull Ring, finishing the Austrian Grand Prix 1.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. It was Russell’s second win of 2026 (after the season-opening Australian GP) and the seventh of his Formula One career. The Mercedes driver led every lap, but had to defend persistently as Verstappen, who started fifth after a qualifying crash, carved through the field. Kimi Antonelli completed the podium just under two seconds behind Russell, keeping his championship lead intact.
Incredible to be back on the top step. It's been a little while, so I am definitely going to enjoy this one this evening.
The race was designated a “heat hazard” with track temperatures exceeding 50°C and air temperature at 35°C. Russell’s drinks system failed early, leaving him dehydrated through 71 laps. “Nice race for it to do so, I’m a little bit thirsty,” he radioed.
I was having to push every single lap and when you push those boundaries there's bound to be a small mistake or two.
Championship picture
Russell’s 25 points elevated him past Lewis Hamilton into second place in the drivers’ standings. Antonelli (171 points) leads Russell (131), with Hamilton third on 125. In the constructors’ fight, Mercedes (302) extended its advantage over Ferrari (204). The gap from first to second shrank to 40 points ahead of the British Grand Prix.
- Kimi Antonelli
- 171 points
- George Russell
- 131 points
- Lewis Hamilton
- 125 points
- Oscar Piastri
- 80 points
- Lando Norris
- 79 points
- Charles Leclerc
- 79 points
- Max Verstappen
- 73 points
- Isack Hadjar
- 42 points
- Pierre Gasly
- 41 points
- Liam Lawson
- 30 points
- Mercedes
- 302 points
- Ferrari
- 204 points
- McLaren
- 159 points
- Red Bull
- 115 points
- Alpine
- 57 points
- Racing Bulls
- 44 points
- Haas
- 21 points
- Williams
- 11 points
- Audi
- 2 points
- Aston Martin
- 1 points
- Cadillac
- 0 points
Verstappen’s best day of 2026
Red Bull’s Verstappen delivered his strongest result of the year, finishing 1.6 seconds from the win after a rapid recovery drive. He passed Antonelli and Charles Leclerc on lap 2, then engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Hamilton. After being re-passed by Hamilton on lap 11, Verstappen made the move stick on lap 22. Heavy orange-clad crowds cheered the quadruple world champion, who described the early laps as “quite fun” and expressed satisfaction with a near-victory. Verstappen’s performance came amid weekend speculation linking him to McLaren, though Red Bull’s major upgrade package clearly delivered at their home circuit.
It was a very good race for us, the first few laps were quite fun. To be a few seconds from victory, I'm very happy.
Ferrari stumbles
Ferrari started second and third with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but neither reached the podium. Hamilton ran second early, duelled with Verstappen, and then lost ground after a three-stop strategy (versus two for the Mercedes and Red Bull). A virtual safety car for Carlos Sainz’s retirement on lap 24 prompted Hamilton to switch to soft tyres, a move that did not pay off. He finished fifth, with Leclerc eighth. Oscar Piastri took fourth for McLaren, ahead of Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) in sixth, reigning champion Lando Norris in seventh, and Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad rounding out the top ten.
I was a little too enthusiastic in the first laps and didn't drive well, I made too many mistakes.
What’s next
The championship continues immediately with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 5 July, Russell’s home race, where he will aim to further close the gap to his teenage teammate.
