In an unexpected turn of events at the Spielberg circuit, the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix ended with an unlikely victor, as a late-race collision shook up the field.
The high-speed drama unfolded towards the latter stages of the race when Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were engaged in a fierce battle following their second pit stops. Verstappen, experiencing a sluggish tire change, found himself back in striking distance for Norris. The tension peaked as both were neck and neck approaching Turn 3, resulting in a collision that knocked Norris out of the competition and dropped Verstappen to fifth place.
George Russell capitalized on the dramatic incident, leading Mercedes to a surprise victory with a time of 1:24:22.798 over 71 laps. Oscar Piastri of McLaren valiantly secured the second spot, trailing Russell by a mere 1.906 seconds, while Carlos Sainz provided a strong performance for Ferrari, earning third place, just 4.533 seconds behind the leader.
The aftermath of the crash saw Lewis Hamilton crossing the line in fourth, securing crucial points for Mercedes, while Verstappen managed to salvage a fifth-place finish despite the setback. Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg showcased resilience by placing sixth for Haas, narrowly edging out Sergio Perez of Red Bull, who finished seventh.
Further down the order, Kevin Magnussen took eighth for Haas, followed closely by Daniel Ricciardo in ninth and Pierre Gasly in tenth, rounding out the top ten finishers. Charles Leclerc faced challenges, ending up in eleventh for Ferrari, while Esteban Ocon brought his Alpine home in twelfth position.
Despite the chaos, the championship standings see Verstappen maintaining his lead with 237 points. Norris, despite his unfortunate crash, holds onto second with 156 points. Leclerc and Sainz follow closely, maintaining a tight battle for third and fourth with only a 15-point difference between them.
The Austrian Grand Prix delivered plenty of excitement and surprises, reminding fans that in racing, anything can happen. With twists and turns both on and off the track, the championship continues to evolve, setting the stage for even more thrilling competition as the season progresses.
