Writers Verdict: 2026 Austrian Grand Prix

Mercedes George Russell returned to the top step of the podium at the Red Bull Ring, in what was an entertaining Austrian Grand Prix. Our writers share their verdict on the event.

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Millie Clark – Contributor

Despite Lewis Hamilton claiming his first victory in the iconic red colours, the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix was a reminder that Ferrari’s bounce back to the top remains far from finished.

While the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sat comfortably in second and third by the end of Saturday’s qualifying, the 71 laps around Austria brought mixed results. Leclerc fell from the front row to the lower end of the points-paying positions in eighth. Despite Hamilton putting on an incredible show for the fans as he raced wheel-to-wheel with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the seven-time world champion dropped to fifth by the chequered flag.

For Mercedes, the Austrian Grand Prix proved that George Russell is still in the championship fight. The Brit stood on the top step of the podium for the first time this season, since round 1 in Australia back in March.

Despite having a drinks system failure and pressure from Verstappen and his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, Russell secured his second victory this season and closed the gap slightly to Antonelli, who sits 40 points ahead in the championship standings with 171 to Russell’s 131.

Now, we look ahead to Silverstone in just under a weekend’s time. Can Russell clinch a victory on home soil? Only time will tell.

Not straightforward says Mercedes drivers after double Austrian GP podium

Mason Round – Contributor

A candidate for the race of the season so far, the Austrian Grand Prix could be the turning point in this year’s championship battle. Following a controversial, yet ever-entertaining qualifying on Saturday, George Russell has announced his return to the title fight after converting pole into victory in the blistering Austrian heat. Beating out teammate Kimi Antonelli and the upgraded Red Bull of Max Verstappen by just under 2 seconds – the closest top three since Bahrain 2021 – proved just how tight the battle at the top is becoming.

Following four-straight victories for Antonelli, the Red Bull Ring highlighted the young driver’s relative inexperience as he scrambled across the track on the opening laps. Including the unfortunate timing of his pit stop before Carlos Sainz’s Williams forced a virtual safety car, the Italian did well to finish in P3.

Echoes of 2021 continued with an enthralling on-track battle between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen, alongside other key battles across the field including Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg’s fight to the line on the last lap.

It was yet another disappointing weekend for Williams and Aston Martin with both teams recording a DNF and making up the back of the pack in 17th and 18th place respectively. And for Cadillac, who brought extensive upgrades to Austria, a double DNF at the beginning of the race made for another weekend to forget.

All attention now turns to Silverstone, as the British Grand Prix awaits next. Following the first all-British podium since 1968 in Barcelona last time out, the home crowd will have high expectations coming into the weekend.

Ferrari to ‘refocus’ after Austrian Grand Prix

Kamron Kent – Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Austria was an entertaining affair, one of the better ones of the season. However, it showed that Ferrari still has problems to contend with if they want to consistently battle at the front of the field for both championships.

Last time out in Barcelona, you could have thought the Scuderia had finally turned something around as their pace was stronger than the Mercedes on a popular testing track. Hope would’ve increased on the news of their engine upgrade thanks to the ADUO, and peaked when the Ferraris finished second and third, with Russell on a controversial pole position.

However, when the race finally got underway, the team slipped backwards. They ate through their tyres, prompting them to be the only team to use a three-stop strategy inside the top 10.

While there were some entertaining fights, like Hamilton vs Leclerc at the beginning, before it turned into a heated, on-the-edge fight between Hamilton and Verstappen, the car never truly looked to be in a position to fight for a top-three finish after Hamilton pulled the trigger as the first car to pit.

Vasseur says the team will learn and refocus ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend. Hopefully, the team will be able to bounce back in Silverstone after showing some promising moments across this part of the season.

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Not straightforward says Mercedes drivers after double Austrian GP podium
• Ferrari to ‘refocus’ after Austrian Grand Prix
• George Russell dominates his way to victory at Austrian Grand Prix
• Austrian Grand Prix: what are the possible race strategies?
• Russell ‘did everything right’ after Verstappen crash in Austrian GP
• F1 Austrian GP: Antonelli tops both practice, reliability problems and rookies
• Mercedes given ‘reality check’ ahead of Austrian Grand Prix

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ApexMotorsports.co.uk

The ApexMotorsports.co.uk Team brings together the voices of our writers and contributors covering the latest stories from across the motorsport world. From race analysis and breaking news to opinion and event coverage, our team provides insight into Formula One, World Rally Championship and other major racing series.

ApexMotorsports.co.uk

The ApexMotorsports.co.uk Team brings together the voices of our writers and contributors covering the latest stories from across the motorsport world. From race analysis and breaking news to opinion and event coverage, our team provides insight into Formula One, World Rally Championship and other major racing series.