Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes' George Russell held on to win a tense battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen for victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The final laps of the race saw Russell in the lead being slowly caught by Verstappen while the Briton's team-mate Kimi Antonelli chased the Dutchman.

Russell took his first win since the opening race of the season in Australia to reclaim second place in the championship and cut the gap to Antonelli to 40 points.

Antonelli caught Verstappen on the last lap but the four-time world champion held on to take his best result of the year so far.

Verstappen's impressive second place underlined a step forward in form after Red Bull introduced a major upgrade to their car for their home race.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri took a solid fourth while Lewis Hamilton, who battled with Verstappen for second in the first third of the race, dropped back to fifth on the back of a confusing strategy from Ferrari.

Read the full report here

Image source, Getty Images

George Russell started on pole and finished with the win in Austria.

That's two wins from two for British drivers and you'll never guess where the next Grand Prix is..

We'll be back for the British Grand Prix as the Formula 1 juggernaut returns to Silverstone for a sprint weekend, no less.

First practice on that bumper weekend - between 3 and 5 July - gets going at 12:30 BST on Friday

For now, thank you for joining us.

Image source, Getty Images

And in the constructors' championship this is how things stand after that race.

Mercedes pad their lead out courtesy of George Russell's win and Kimi Antonelli's third-placed finish.

Max Verstappen coming in second lifts Red Bull into the 100-point barrier.

1. Mercedes - 302pts

2. Ferrari - 204

3. McLaren - 159

4. Red Bull - 115

5. Alpine - 57

6. Racing Bulls - 44

7. Haas - 21

8. Williams - 11

9. Audi - 2

10. Aston Martin - 1

11. Cadillac - 0

Image source, Reuters

What's the lay of the land in the drivers' championship after that race?

Well, George Russell has moved back into second place at the expense of Lewis Hamilton after his win in Austria.

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 171

2. George Russell (Mercedes) 131

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 125

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 80

5. Lando Norris (McLaren) 79

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 79

7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 73

8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 42

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 41

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 30

Image source, Getty Images

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth, speaking to Sky Sports: "I didn't agree with any of the tyres today. It was a very hard race, a really tough race, one, being extremely hot. My start wasn't really good to be honest. my get away was poor. I was on the attack, obviously got past Charles and I thought it wasn't looking too bad on the first few laps, with George I was holding on for a second and then the rears just dropped off. On every set, for some reason the balance was often very difficult."

"On Friday we were down six tenths just on the straight line speed. I have to go and see what the case was today but I am sure it was not insignificant. But also grip-wise, we just couldn't keep up with everyone today so very tough one but grateful for the points, the team did a great job with the strategy and with the pit stops, the boys worked so hard on the pit stops so really proud of them. Not the result we wanted but we got points at least."

On whether there is still a power concern with the Ferraris: "We are going to have to push really hard to see when we can get the next power upgrade. it is deployment, doesn't necessarily feel so much as power. It is deployment at the end so we have got to look at why and how we can improve that."

On Silverstone: "Love Silverstone, lots of straights unfortunately but hopefully the car will be in a nicer place there."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc speaking to Sky Sports: "It's fair to say [this was a step back], it was pretty bad today. I went into a direction yesterday that was similar to where I felt good last year but then this year it was never working, the rear was never there, I was sliding around, overheating the rear tyres.

"Nobody is understanding the difference in performance from one weekend to another. In Barcelona, we were one of the strongest cars on the Sunday. We brought some upgrades that worked, I don't think it's the upgrades that are to blame this weekend, these cars are just very sensitive to wherever you place them and if you're not in the right place with the setup you pay the price a lot. Today was a very good example of that."

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli speaking to Sky Sports: "I started the race and made a lot of mistakes. I was struggling with the brakes, I had a split with the brakes and I was struggling to attack braking. I really struggled in that first stint, made a lot of mistakes. Second stint I reset and then third stint was really strong but I just arrived to the party a bit too late."

"I knew starting from P4 would have been difficult and the first laps were really bad, I was a bit all over the place. I made my way back slowly but there will be weekends where George is going to be in front and weekends where I will be in front. He's very strong, he's very complete, especially in qualifying he still has that little bit of edge, to squeeze out a bit more performance. I think this weekend is good learning for me especially after starting the weekend so strong. I think I lost my rhythm a little bit. Maybe I relaxed a bit too much or I was too confident. We will be back stronger in Silverstone."

Isack Hadjar speaking to Sky Sports after finishing P6: "It was my prediction back in the office, starting from P8 you want to do an aggressive race and pit early. It wasn't the fastest race all around but the most efficient to gain positions and we succeeded in that. Starting eighth is not good enough to be cleaning up the Ferraris and the McLarens.

On the effect of the upgrades: "Definitely the best race pace we've had since the start of the year. Clearly today we were the second fastest car so finishing P4 would have been ideal but we didn't. I'm quite happy with the overall pace but the feeling in the car is still lacking, I couldn't put the car in the right window all weekend and still like that were fast. So it's good and bad news."

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff speaking to Sky Sports about the importance of that win for George Russell: "Since Q3 yesterday until now, it's been a perfect execution. He was quick, managed the tyres well, cold blooded. Really happy for him.

"Less thinking is better because the best race is the quickest race. Don't manage, make sure you're not killing the rears. That's what he did."

On Kimi Antonelli's race: "He was very eager in the beginning, I like the enthusiasm. That's how it should be, we want the driver to be on the attack all the time. You can't speed up a donkey but you can slow down a racehorse."

"So much credit to the engine guys, they have put in so much effort over the past few weeks to get the reliability under control."

On how Ferrari's new power unit: "I heard that they were overheating a little bit. They didn't look like they did in Barcelona."

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies speaking to Sky Sports: "The most satisfying element is the pace. For the first time this season we have the pace to be very close, to have enough to win. Big credit to everyone back in Milton Keynes. We know we will need more because of the competition, we will continue to bring updates but it is impressive that we are in the last tenths to be on the top step of the podium.

"I think it is fair to say Kimi was the fastest guy out there and perhaps Max was a little faster than George. Starting positions do matter. We are moving in the right direction for the whole team."

Image source, Getty Images

More from race winner George Russell: "The tough races definitely test you psychologically. These last two weekends for me have been vitally important to remind myself I can do it.

"Single lap, race pace, was very strong this weekend. On a track that was probably not well suited to my style.

"I look forward to heading to Silverstone next week and seeing the home fans. I am sure it is going to be great."

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli who finished third at the Austrian Grand Prix: "I was a bit too excited on the first few laps. Definitely didn't drive well. I did too many mistakes and on the first stint on the medium, I lost three or four seconds with the mistakes. I was struggling with the brakes.

"After I changed tyres, I reset and the pace at the end was very strong. It was a shame I joined the party a bit too late. Two, three more laps would have been more fun, of course, congrats to George. Really great weekend. On my side, there's a lot to improve, but still minimise the mistakes."

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull's Max Verstappen speaking after finishing P2 at the Austrian Grand Prix: "I think it was a very good race for us. The first few laps were quite fun and then it was basically just trying to manage the tyres. Honestly, I think the car was in quite a good window for half of the race and then we picked up a few issues with the car which prevented me from finding a nice rhythm. To be second, that close to a win, is extremely positive for us. I'm very happy."

On if he was carrying an injury after his crash in qualifying: "I knocked my knees, hit the bones together. It's not very nice but today it was OK."

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes' George Russell who won his second race of the season in Austria: "Incredible to be back on the top step again. it has been a while so I am going to enjoy this one this evening, a lot of hard work with my team to get us back on track. There was a tricky run of form at one point, Max and Red Bull were incredibly quick this weekend so kudos to them.

"Thanks to everyone, thanks to the fans, it is pretty toasty out there so looking forward to a drink now."

"I had to push every single lap, when you push those boundaries, there is bound to be a small mistake or two and I knew how quick the guys were behind. Kimi has been extraordinarily quick this season, so every lap I was looking at the timing board."

"We pitted on the early side, so I knew it would be a long stint but the team timed it to perfection."

Let's hear what our podium finishers had to say after that hot and hectic race..

Champagne momentpublished at 15:49 BST 28 June

15:49 BST 28 June

The British national anthem rings out for the second race in a row as George Russell's win is crowned.

All three drivers on the podium today drove a superb race, it must be said.

What I'd give for another 10 laps of that. Great stuff.

11. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

12. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

14. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

17. Alex Albon (Williams)

18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

DNF. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

DNF. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

DNF. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

DNF. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

"Race pace is better than we have shown so far" Max Verstappen says of his Red Bull to Kimi Antonelli in the cool down room.

He seems fairly pleased with his performance today. Especially given his crash in qualifying yesterday.

"I've never had it fail and today it didn't work" George Russell said in reference to his drinks mechanism breaking.

1. George Russell (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

7. Lando Norris (McLaren)

8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)