Russell wins Austrian GP as Verstappen holds off Antonelli for second

Russell unchallenged at the front

George Russell controlled the race from the controversial pole position he had taken on Saturday. The Mercedes driver crossed the line ahead of Max Verstappen, who had to fend off a charging Antonelli on the final lap. Russell's seventh career victory moves him to 131 points in the drivers' standings, 40 behind his teammate.

Verstappen survives Antonelli's charge

The Dutchman, still seeking his first win of the 2026 season at his team's home track, held off the championship leader in the closing laps. Antonelli had retired from the previous round in Barcelona but returned to the podium in Austria, keeping his points lead intact. The 19-year-old Italian now has 171 points, 40 clear of Russell.

Hamilton fifth, Sainz retires again

Lewis Hamilton, winner of the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks earlier, finished fifth for Ferrari. Carlos Sainz's race ended on lap 25 when his Williams stopped with an electrical problem. Fernando Alonso took 18th place after a pit-lane speeding penalty. Across the rest of the field, Oscar Piastri was fourth in the McLaren, Franco Colapinto 15th for Alpine and Sergio Pérez retired early for Cadillac.

Qualifying controversy lingers

Russell's pole was secured under a yellow flag in Saturday's qualifying session, a decision that drew criticism from Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who started second and third. The stewards did not intervene, and Russell converted pole into victory on Sunday.