GEORGE RUSSELL earned himself an ice-cold bevvy after firing himself back into second in the title race.
The British 28-year-old said he was “looking forward to a drink” after winning a scorching hot Austrian Grand Prix with a drinks failure in his car.
George Russell completed 71 laps with a drinks failure during the heat hazard race Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
It was Russell’s second win of the season after the season opener Credit: AFP
Antonelli came over the line just 0.3 seconds behind Verstappen Credit: AFP
Verstappen came second, his best result of the season so far Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
It was only his first win since the season opener in Melbourne, leaving him just 40 points behind Antonelli.
It was a deserved win for Russell who was squeaky clean off the line, executed Mercedes’ strategy perfectly and soaked up pressure.
He has now leapfrogged Lewis Hamilton into second after the seven-time world champion finished a disappointing fifth.
Max Verstappen overcame his qualifying crash woes on Saturday to produce a blistering drive and finish second after starting his home race in P5.
It is the Dutchman’s best result all season on a weekend where tongues were wagging about his future and a potential move to McLaren.
Antonelli showed he still has what it takes to lead the title fight though as he bulldozed around the final laps to finish third, just three tenths ahead of four-time world champ Verstappen.
Russell said: “Drink system failed, nice race for it to do so…. I’m a little bit thirsty!”
He added: “Incredible to be back on the top step. It’s been a little while, so I will definitely enjoy this one this evening!
“It was a real fight, given that pole position and the win today I know I am capable of doing it. I’ve always believed that in the years gone by.
“This year I never doubted my ability I just doubted the process. Looking how Lewis has bounced back – we don’t just forget how to drive it’s about understanding the package.
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“Each race I’m making gains so yeah I’m feeling good. I love a big fight, you want the best drivers to be in that fight. More the merrier.”
Nothing was getting in the way of Russell and his win this weekend, whose quick thinking in qualifying produced a glittering pole.
His judgement to lift off just enough to satisfy the rules after Verstappen crashed, but not enough to wreck his lap was the difference between taking pole and fourth on the grid.
It also played a crucial role in his much needed win yesterday, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described as “cold blooded”.
He added: “Since Q3 yesterday, until now, perfect execution [from Russell]. He was quick, managed the tyres well, cold blooded, really happy for him.”
At the start, he got away nicely to lead into the first corner, while Hamilton nipped past his teammate Leclerc for second.
Verstappen was flying and setting fastest laps early on in the race before his old rival Russell hit back with a blistering lap of his own.
Hamilton spent the first part of the race trying to fend off Verstappen as they produced an epic wheel to wheel battle through Turn Four to Seven on lap 11.
The following lap, Hamilton stopped early for fresh tyres and it sealed his fate as Russel and Verstappen stayed out.
Antonelli had dropped to fifth on the opening lap after a desperate scramble with Hamilton, Verstappen and Leclerc.
But he stayed out until lap 24, stopping just before the virtual safety car caused by Carlos Sainz’s Williams grounding to a halt on track.
That set up a thrilling fight between Verstappen and Russell with the Dutchman hunting him down with Antonelli doing the same beind the Red Bull.
It was nail-bitingly close and the gaps squeezed ever so smaller between them as the laps went by.
Eventually, Russell flew over the line just 1.6 seconds ahead of Verstappen with Antonelli a further 0.3 seconds behind Verstappen.
The Dutchman, who suffered a huge crash in Saturday’s final qualifying session, said: “It was a very good race for us. The first few laps were quite fun and then it was basically trying to manage your tyres.
“But to be second and that close to a win is extremely positive.
“I knocked my knees in qualifying, that was not nice, but today was okay.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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