Norris was left demanding an apology from a “reckless, stupid and desperate” Verstappen following their dramatic coming together. Oscar Piastri finished second for McLaren, 1.906 seconds behind, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz taking third at Spielberg’s scenic Red Bull Ring.
The gifted victory was a first for once-dominant Mercedes since November 2022, when Russell also triumphed in Brazil 33 races ago, and only the second of the Briton’s Formula One career. “It’s not over until it’s over,” said a jubilant Russell after a race that saved its excitement for the last 20 laps, when the simmering battle between Verstappen and Norris suddenly boiled over.
“The team have done an amazing job to put us in this fight. You’ve got to be there at the end to pick up the pieces and that’s where we were,” added Russell. “I knew it [the collision] was a possibility. You are always dreaming.”
The race will be remembered for Norris’s electrifying duel with Verstappen which ended with the British driver out of the race and Verstappen’s driving – blasted as “dangerous” by his rival – back in the spotlight.
Prior to the 71-lap race, Norris might have considered Verstappen his closest ally among the grid’s 20 drivers. But when asked if their friendship might now be affected, a forthright Norris replied: “It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I will lose a lot of respect for that.
“If he admits to being a bit stupid, running into me, and just being a bit reckless, then I will have a small amount of respect for it. I expected tough, fair, respectful on-the-edge racing, and I don’t feel like that is what I got. It seemed a little bit desperate from his side and it didn’t need to be that way.”
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin July 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin July 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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