George Russell took pole position at the Austrian Grand Prix after a chaotic finish to qualifying when Max Verstappen crashed.
Verstappen spun into the barrier at high speed on the final drive of Q3, causing a yellow flag. This usually means you can’t improve your lap time because other drivers have to slow down to pass through the accident zone.
But Russell eased off the throttle, still fastest, beating Charles Leclerc to pole, and was sanctioned by the FIA for a yellow flag offence.
Footage showed only a single yellow flag waving as Russell passed Verstappen’s crashed Red Bull. These flags changed to double yellow flags before he reached the finish line and set the pole setting time.
Russell will have Leclerc’s Ferrari second, Lewis Hamilton third and championship leader Kimi Antonelli fourth.
Antonelli, fastest after the first run of Q3, saw the yellow flag and decided to give up on a lap and now faces the prospect of two of his closest championship rivals starting ahead of him.
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As Max Verstappen ends the session at the barrier, George Russell steers the Ferrari driver to pole position in Austria.
The Italian teenager is 41 points ahead of Hamilton and 50 points ahead of Russell, who currently holds back-to-back pole positions.
Verstappen will start fifth after a strong opening lap in Q3, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will disappoint in sixth and seventh respectively.
More to follow…
Live Austrian GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Austrian Grand Prix over the years.
Sunday, June 28
7:35 AM: F3 Feature Race
9:05 AM: F2 Feature Race
10:50 a.m.: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Building up to the Austrian GP: Sunday Grand Prix*
2 p.m.: Austrian Grand Prix*
4pm: Austrian GP reaction: checkered flag
5 p.m.: Ted’s Notes
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Formula 1’s European season kicks off at 12.30pm with the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday with the lights out at 2pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
