George Russell couldn't help but giggle as he watched a replay of the moment which allowed him to win a Formula 1 race for the second time.

Russell took his second career F1 victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. He had been running in third place for most of it but found himself inheriting the lead with just half-a-dozen laps to go after tensions boiled over between the drivers ahead of him.

Max Verstappen had led for the whole race but a slow pit stop put Lando Norris within striking distance. They duelled furiously for several laps until, as the McLaren tried a move around the outside in turn three, they made contact and both cars suffered a puncture.

They both had to limp to the pit lane while Russell, who couldn't believe his luck, flew through to take the chequered flag. Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz also inherited podium places.

And all three were watching a replay of that race-defining incident in the cool down room as they waited for the podium ceremony. As the clash was shown on the screen, all three couldn't help but laugh at the farcical way in which both Verstappen and Norris had thrown away their chances of victory.

Reacting to the result, Russell said: "It was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race just to hold on to P3. I was on the TV that Max and Lando were going pretty hard and I knew Lando would want to get that race win. The team has done an amazing job to get us in this fight - you've got to be there to pick up the pieces and we were.

"They were going for it. I couldn't believe how close we were to Lando and Max, it was only about 12 or 13 seconds. And I knew it was a possibility - you're always dreaming. I'm just so proud to be back on the top step. The team has worked so hard and made so many strides since the start of the season. The last three races have been incredible and there is more to come.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen collided which caused punctures to both cars (
Image:
Sky Sports)

"It's no secret Red Bull and Max, McLaren and Lando are still out in front, but we're always putting ourselves in that third-placed position in the last couple of races and, if anything happens up front, we're there to pick up. I'm really proud of everybody, what an exciting time for us."

Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty after the stewards adjudged him to have been at fault for causing the collision. After news of that was relayed to him, he voiced his frustration and clearly was of the belief that he wasn't the one to blame.

The Dutchman finished fifth in the end, behind the podium-sitting trio and Lewis Hamilton in fourth. Norris decided to jump out of his McLaren after heading the the pit lane and retire the car, rather than head back out to finish.

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