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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayOscar Piastri has hailed his fourth place at Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix as a "really good day", while Mercedes driver George Russell held on to claim his first victory since the start of the Formula 1 season.
Russell held off a fast-finishing Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli to take his second grand prix win of the year, after triumphing in Melbourne's season-opener.
Piastri did not have the pace to match it with the podium placers on a hot afternoon in Spielberg, but the Victorian was best of the rest, out-duelling the Ferraris and comfortably beating McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
"I think that was the most I could have done," Piastri told Sky Sports post-race.
"We didn't have the pace to do anything more to match Mercedes, or Max [Verstappen]."
Piastri started seventh but passed Norris on the opening lap of the grand prix.
The Australian managed his tyres well in a hot race, where all drivers needed multiple pit stops to make it to the end.
Piastri was able to pass Hamilton when the Briton came in for a second of what would be three pit stops under a virtual safety car on lap 25 of 71.
Hamilton would not be able to overtake Piastri, and when the Australian made the pass on Charles Leclerc on lap 37 he was able to pull clear.
"To beat both Ferraris was a really good day, so I'm very happy with that," he said.
Piastri has now moved into fourth place in the drivers' championship, leapfrogging Norris, who laboured to place seventh in Austria.
Russell survives late challenge to win in Austria
George Russell moved back into second in the F1 drivers' championship standings with his second grand prix victory of the season, withstanding a late charge to win in Austria.
George Russell held off Max Verstappen, and teammate Kimi Antonelli, to win his second grand prix of 2026. (Getty Images: LAT Images/Andy Hone)
Russell started on pole and held the lead in the early stages, as teammate Kimi Antonelli ran off the circuit three times in the opening two laps.
Red Bull's Verstappen, starting fifth, showed early on that he was a contender for victory on Sunday as he quickly got himself to third, then enjoyed a terrific battle with Ferrari's Hamilton for second place.
Once clear of Hamilton, Verstappen set his sights on Russell and potentially his first win of the season.
After the first round of pit stops, Verstappen began to reduce the deficit to Russell as each lap went on.
The Dutchman was almost within striking distance on lap 43, trailing by less than two seconds, when Mercedes called Russell in for his second stop.
Red Bull elected to keep Verstappen out for an extra six laps, which proved decisive.
By the time Verstappen emerged back on track on lap 50 his deficit to Russell was 10 seconds, a margin he could not close even with fresher tyres at the end.
"It's been a little while, so I am definitely going to enjoy this one this evening," Russell said after his win.
"Max [Verstappen] and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend, so kudos to them.
"I was having to push every single lap, I knew how quick the guys were behind."
Verstappen went from the hunter to the hunted in the final two laps of the grand prix, as Antonelli made a late charge for the Dutchman's second place.
The trio would ultimately be separated by less than two seconds at the chequered flag
"Honestly, I think the car was in quite a good window for half of the race, then we picked up a few issues to prevent me from finding a nice rhythm,' Verstappen said.
For the second race running, Antonelli had his drivers' championship lead reduced. However, the Italian teenager still holds a 40-point advantage over Russell, who moves into second in the standings ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who placed fifth.
Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was sixth, while Norris laboured in his McLaren to place seventh.
Leclerc struggled throughout the race to finish a disappointing eighth after starting on the front row.
New Zealander Liam Lawson, who at one stage claimed there was "fire in my car", placed ninth ahead of Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad, who was 10th.
Relive all the action of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix on the live blog below.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:32am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:32am
That is all for the live blog
This is where we end tonight's live digital coverage of the F1 Austrian Grand Prix.
Mercedes is back on top again, and it is George Russell who was victorious.
Oscar Piastri enjoyed a very solid race, climbing from seventh to fourth.
There is no time to rest, as F1 heads to Silverstone next week for the British Grand Prix.
We will have a live blog and we hope you join us then.
Goodnight.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:20am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:20am
George Russell celebrating in style
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:10am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:10am
A nice drive from Oscar Piastri
A great drive by Oscar. He had good pace and fought hard! He’s just gotta get those qualifying performances better.
- Luke
Oscar Piastri should be happy with that driver.
He started seventh and finished fourth.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:00am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 1:00am
The top 10 at the Austrian Grand Prix
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:50am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:50am
Kimi Antonelli laments early errors
Kimi Antonelli had an eventful start to the grand prix.
Starting fourth, he went off the track three times in the opening two laps.
But the teenager was able to regroup and finish third, less than two seconds behind winner George Russell.
I was a bit too excited the first few laps and didn't drive well, had a few too many mistakes. But once I changed tyres I reset and the pace was strong.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:45am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:45am
Max Verstappen reflects on second place finish
That was a really nice race for Red Bull.
Max Verstappen achieved a season's best second, and Isack Hadjar was sixth.
Verstappen was chasing Russell for the win late in the contest, but should be happy with the progress made by Red Bull.
It was a very good race for us, the first few laps were quite fun. Honestly, I think the car was in quite a good window for half of the race, then we picked up a few issues to prevent me from finding a nice rhythm.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:41am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:41am
George Russell reflects on his victory
George Russell has achieved his second win of the season, after taking the season's first grand prix in Melbourne.
He also cut his deficit to drivers' championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 10 points.
Here is what Russell has said:
Incredible to be back on the top step.
It has been a little while, so will definitely enjoy this one this evening. Max [Verstappen] and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend, so kudos to them.
I was having to push every single lap, I knew how quick the guys were behind.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:30am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:30am
George Russell wins the Austrian Grand Prix
Mercedes driver George Russell has taken his first victory since the season-opener in Melbourne, holding off Red Bull's Max Verstappen to win the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen had to defend second place on the last lap, holding off drivers' championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Australian Oscar Piastri drove a very good race to be the lead McLaren driver, finishing fourth after starting seventh on the grid.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:29am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:29am
FINAL LAP: Verstappen defending second, Russell leads
George Russell is so close to home.
Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli has the Overtake Mode on Verstappen for the final lap.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:28am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:28am
70/71: Verstappen catching Russell, but Antonelli catching Verstappen
George Russell's lead is now less than 3 seconds.
But Max Verstappen is not guaranteed second place.
Kimi Antonelli has cut his deficit to Verstappen down to 1 second.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:24am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:24am
65/71: Russell leads by 4 seconds over Verstappen
The gap between Russell and Verstappen keeps closing, but second-place Verstappen is running out of time.
If Russell does not make a mistake, he should win from here.
Kimi Antonelli is just 3 seconds behind Verstappen.
Oscar Piastri is running nicely in fourth.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:18am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:18am
61/71: Verstappen cuts the lead under 6 seconds
The gap between George Russell and Max Verstappen keeps dropping, but not enough at the moment.
Russell is doing just enough to win this race with 10 laps to go.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:17am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:17am
59/71: Charles Leclerc pits again. It's just not his day
He pits seventh and comes back on track in the same position.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:15am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:15am
57/71: Russell goes wide, lead to Verstappen is 7 seconds
George Russell leads this grand prix.
His gap to Max Verstappen was 10 seconds, but that is now down to 7.
Russell goes a little wide at the first corner of the lap, which loses about 1 second.
Verstappen has fresher tyres by 6 laps.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:13am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:13am
56/71: Leclerc drops to seventh, passed by Hadjar
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:11am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:11am
54/71: There is a threat of some rain
There is a little rain on the radar, about 12 kilometres from the Red Bull Ring.
It is heading towards the track. It could play a role very late in this race.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:08am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:08am
52/71: Quick VSC for cleaning debris
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:07am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:07am
51/71: Kimi Antonelli pits, George Russell retakes the lead
Kimi Antonelli comes into the pits and he emerges back on track third.
George Russell leads the race, 10 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.
Verstappen has tyres which are 6 laps fresher.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:05am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:05am
49/71: Max Verstappen pits
Red Bull pits Verstappen. It is a nice stop and he emerges on track in third, behind Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Antonelli will need to pit again.
Verstappen was 1.4 seconds behind Russell before the Brit pitted 6 laps ago.
Russell now has a gap of 10 seconds.
That could be enough to seal the win, unless Verstappen can replicate this at the end of the grand prix.
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:03am
Mon 29 Jun 2026 at 12:03am
48/71: Oscar Piastri passes Charles Leclerc
Lovely from Oscar Piastri.
He catches Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with fresher tyres, and he makes the pass into turn 3.
Very clean by the Australian.
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