F1 Austrian GP: Russell holds off Verstappen to win and cut Antonelli’s championship lead

George Russell claimed his second victory of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign by winning the Austrian Grand Prix from pole ahead of Max Verstappen and chip into Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead.
The Mercedes driver crossed the line 1.6 seconds clear of the Red Bull driver with Russell’s team-mate and title rival Antonelli completing the podium.
This has given Russell his first win since …Keep reading

“They know” – Verstappen says Red Bull is aware of what’s needed to keep him for F1 2027

Despite having a contract that runs until the end of 2028, Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future has once again become one of the main talking points in the paddock in recent months.
Now that the regulation changes for 2027 and 2028 have been approved, Verstappen appears set to remain in F1 for longer, although the question remains with which team.
During the Spielberg race weekend, reports …Keep reading

Cadillac’s F1 updates show improved pace, but hot Austrian GP will test its capabilities

Cadillac might have endured a fraught Austrian Grand Prix Friday as reliability issues dented the American Formula 1 team’s progress, but Valtteri Bottas says that its gap to Aston Martin demonstrates that the new update package delivered the expected pace increase.
The GM brand had to contend with different issues either side of the garage; Sergio Perez struggled with restricted running due to …Keep reading

Red Bull apologises to Max Verstappen after technical issue caused F1 qualifying crash

During Q3 in F1 Austrian GP qualifying Max Verstappen lost control of his RB22 in Turn 9 at the Red Bull Ring after, according to his own account, already experiencing a significant snap three corners earlier.
Speaking to the media after qualifying, the Dutchman struggled to explain the moment himself, particularly as those balance issues had not been present during his previous qualifying …Keep reading

Why Antonelli aborted his fastest lap in Austrian GP qualifying

Qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix ended in disarray after Max Verstappen crashed his Red Bull at the fast Turn 9 on his final push lap.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also on a push lap, trying to improve on his previous time, and misinterpreted the waved yellow flags at the scene for double waved yellows.
Within the rulebook, the distinction between single and double waved …Keep reading

Verstappen questions “crazy” delay in double yellow flags as the FIA responds

Max Verstappen believes his crash in one of the fastest sections at the Red Bull Ring should have triggered double yellow flags earlier, with the FIA explaining that the standard procedure was followed.
Verstappen lost control of his RB22 on the entry to Turn 9 after already experiencing a significant snap three corners earlier.
The rear of the Red Bull stepped out immediately on turn-in for …Keep reading

Russell explains meaning behind Wolff’s “just drive” radio message in Austrian GP qualifying

George Russell has explained Toto Wolff’s “just drive” radio message during Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix that was a way to encourage the Briton who went on to secure pole position.
Russell took pole in Austria, beating both Ferrari drivers and his team-mate Kimi Antonelli, but the session was far from straightforward for the Mercedes driver. He was fifth in Q1, more than 0.3s slower than …Keep reading

Verstappen on “odd” Austrian GP qualifying crash: “As I turned the wheel I was gone”

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen says his car was “immediately gone” as he suffered a costly accident in Formula 1 qualifying ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
In the dying seconds of the lap, Verstappen put everything on the line to keep up with the intrinsically quicker Mercedes cars and looked on course to contend for the front row behind poleman George Russell. However, he lost the rear of …Keep reading