“If there is an opportunity I want to take it,” this was the thought of George Russell, who started third in the GP d’Austria. Mercedes is slowly rising from its ashes. Despite not being the first, or even second best car on the grid at the Red Bull Ring, it did not miss the opportunity to get ahead of the others, proving to deserve the third consecutive podium. Of course, no one, having said that, would have expected a victory. Not even Russell, rather surprised, like everyone else, by the duel that would have given him the lead of the race, the one between Verstappen and Norris.
George Russell’s Austrian GP from spectator to leader
From a quiet spectator, George Russell suddenly found himself the leader of the Grand Prix with just a few laps to go. He savoured the furious clash between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen from afar, controlling everything from the giant screens, at a safe distance, gradually hearing the roar of the crowd increase with each thrust of the two.
“Incredible! It was a tough battle at the end of the race – says Russell after the race. I was holding third but then I saw on the screen that sparks were flying between Max and Lando, and then I saw what happened. We did a great job and in the end we managed to pick up the pieces, and it’s the ideal position for us. Obviously I couldn’t believe how close Lando and Max were, we were a dozen seconds behind and it was still a good result for us.”
Russell: “When there’s a chance you always dream of taking it”
Although the victory came from contact, Russell is very satisfied with the work done by the Brackley team. The importance of being found there makes the difference when adding up the points at the end of the season.
“When there is a chance you always dream of being able to take it, and I am very proud of the team’s work. We have made enormous progress since the beginning of the season, and the last two races have been incredible for the results obtained. It’s no secret that Red Bull and McLaren are still a little bit ahead with Max and Lando, but we’re holding onto third place, and then if something happens up front we’re there to seize the opportunity. I’m proud of everyone. We’ve been going strong lately, we realistically could have won the race in Canada and this makes up for the mistakes I made there, and I’m proud to be back on the top step of the podium.”
Russell will be racing his home race at Silverstone next week. What better opportunity to repeat that?
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