GEORGE RUSSELL withstood Max Verstappen’s challenge to end his 112-day wait for a victory by winning the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Russell headed into the eighth round of the season at the Red Bull Ring without a win since the opening fixture of the season in Melbourne on March 8.

But the British driver delivered an impressive performance here in the sun-drenched Styrian mountains to cross the line 1.6 seconds clear of Verstappen.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third, just three tenths behind Verstappen, to allow Russell to reduce the Italian’s title advantage from 50 points to 40, a week out from the British Grand Prix.

Russell’s triumph also elevates him ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the standings after a questionable three-stop strategy scuppered the Ferrari driver’s challenge.

Hamilton took the chequered flag in fifth and is now 46 points off the championship pace.

Oscar Piastri finished ahead of Hamilton in fourth, with Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar sixth and world champion Lando Norris seventh.

Russell’s title challenge had been blighted by bad luck, indifferent form and a mighty impressive Antonelli, but the Englishman will feel a weight has been lifted off his shoulders ahead of his home event at Silverstone this weekend.

After upsetting the form book to take a last-gasp pole position, Russell held his nerve on the stampede to the opening corner with the drama unfolding behind his Mercedes.

Hamilton cleared team-mate Charles Leclerc for second on lap one before Antonelli briefly moved into third only to drop two places after he ran off the road.

Verstappen crashed out of qualifying at the penultimate corner, but gained two positions to take third, with Hamilton firmly in his sights.

On the 11th lap, Hamilton and Verstappen traded positions at Turns 3 and 4 before the Red Bull driver dropped two wheels on the gravel at Turn 6 and called for his one-time rival to be sanctioned.

“That’s a penalty, a clear penalty,” said Verstappen, aggrieved that Hamilton had left him with nowhere to go during their thrilling duel. The stewards noted the flashpoint but elected against any serious action.

Carlos Sainz broke down and a Virtual Safety Car was deployed. Ferrari called Hamilton in for a second time – from a net third on the track – and moved him on to the least durable soft tyre compound. It meant Hamilton would have to stop at least one more time. Hamilton was now seventh, and with it all to do.

Up front, and Verstappen was beginning to reel in Russell, and by the start of lap 40, the Dutchman was just over a second back.

But Mercedes moved quickly, bringing Russell in for a second time, and when Verstappen stopped for tyres six laps later, he was the best part of 11 seconds behind. It was Russell’s to lose from here, and although Verstappen would gain almost 10 seconds in 22 laps, he failed to face a significant challenge, and actually spent the final lap ensuring Antonelli did not sneak past for second.

“It’s incredible to be back on the top step,” said Russell. “It has been a little while, so I am going to enjoy it this evening. Max was incredibly quick so kudos to them. It was toasty out there so I am looking forward to a drink now.

“The tough races test you psychologically, and the last two weekends have been important to remind myself I can do it.”