George Russell claimed a huge win at the Austrian Grand Prix, triumphing unexpectedly after Max Verstappen dramatically collided with title rival Lando Norris in the closing stages.

Reigning Formula One champion Verstappen and Norris were battling for the lead when they crashed on lap 64 out of 71.

Verstappen was deemed responsible and hit with a 10-second time penalty for causing the incident, but that punishment did not impact the outcome as the Dutchman was able to limp back to the pits and continue, salvaging a fifth-place finish.

Norris came off worse and was forced out of Sunday's race in a blow to his championship hopes.

Verstappen had led for much of the race from pole in Spielberg but Russell was the beneficiary of the incident. Sitting third at the time, the Briton took full advantage by sweeping past the stricken vehicles of Verstappen and Norris to claim his and Mercedes' first race victory of the season.

It marks Russell's second career win and it was not all doom and gloom for McLaren either despite Norris' crash, with Oscar Piastri clinching second place.

Carlos Sainz rounded out the podium, while Lewis Hamilton took fourth ahead of Verstappen, who was incredibly close to taking a record-setting fifth victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Nico Hulkenberg impressively came home sixth for Haas, while Charles Leclerc endured a difficult day and finished outside the points in 11th.

The moment Russell took the lead passing the two stricken cars of Verstappen and Norris #F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/1ZSieenolu

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 30, 2024

Data Debrief: Frustration for Lando and Max

Norris had finished in the top four in each of the last six races before this one, as many times as in the previous 15. He is one podium away from equalling John Watson as the 13th-highest British driver with the most podiums in Formula 1 history, but he will now have to wait for that particular feat.

Verstappen, too, was dealt a blow. He remains just one podium away from overtaking Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso as the driver with the fourth-highest solo podium finishes in F1 history.

However, despite his frustration at missing out on the win, difficult days for Norris and Leclerc meant the Red Bull driver actually extended his championship lead despite a rare finish outside the podium places.

Daniel Ricciardo, meanwhile, marked his 250th F1 race with a ninth-place finish.

Top 10

1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
7. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
8. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
9. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 237 points
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 156 
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 150

Constructors

1. Red Bull – 355
2. Ferrari – 291
3. McLaren – 268