Austrian Grand Prix 2024: History, Date, Location, Leaderboard, Previous winners, memorable moments, Racers, lap times, Schedules, the surprising and less surprising teams,Results, Grid order, fastest time, Epic performance, Qualifying Teams And Everything To Know
Date:
June 30, 2024
Race Winner:
George Russell (Williams Racing)
Time:
1:24:22.798s
Podium:
-
- 1st: George Russell
- 2nd: Oscar Piastri (Alpine)
- 3rd: Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)
Key Moments
- Sprint Format: The 2024 Austrian Grand Prix was the third Grand Prix weekend of the season to utilize the sprint format.
- Pole Position: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) secured pole position for the main race.
- Dramatic Collision: With seven laps to go, Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris collided while fighting for the lead. Both drivers dropped down the order.
- Race Winner: George Russell (Mercedes) took his second career Formula One race win, ending Mercedes’ victory drought since the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.
- Podium Finishers:
- 1st: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren – Mercedes)
- 3rd: Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)
Championship Standings Before the Race
- Max Verstappen led the Drivers’ Championship, followed by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
- Red Bull Racing led the Constructors’ Championship, with Ferrari and McLaren in second and third place.
Notable Facts
- The Red Bull Ring hosted the event for the 20th time.
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin Aramco – Mercedes) set the fastest lap on lap 70.
- Tyre choices included the C3, C4, and C5 compounds (softest in the range).
History
The Austrian Grand Prix made its debut in 1963 as a non-championship event held at a race track on the Zeltweg Airfield. Australian driver Jack Brabham emerged victorious in that inaugural race. The event quickly transitioned to a championship race in the following year, with Italian Lorenzo Bandini securing his only Formula One championship win in a Ferrari. The Zeltweg Airfield circuit was narrow, bumpy, and challenging. Spectators often complained about poor viewing areas.
F1
Despite its success, safety concerns led to the removal of the race from the F1 calendar. From 1970 until 1987, the Austrian Grand Prix found its home at the Österreichring (translated as “Austria circuit”). Located near Zeltweg, this scenic track wound through the Styrian mountains. Every corner was high-speed and long, making it a favorite among drivers. The race was designated the European Grand Prix once, in 1975. Swiss driver Jo Siffert dominated in his BRM, and British legend Jackie Stewart secured his second Drivers’ Championship during this era. The 1975 event was marred by the fatal accident of American driver Mark Donohue.
The race itself was rain-soaked, and Italian driver Vittorio Brambilla clinched the only F1 victory of his career. True to form, Brambilla crashed into the guardrail shortly after crossing the finish line when the race was stopped early due to worsening rain conditions. In 1995 and 1996, the track underwent modifications to meet modern standards. The Austrian Grand Prix returned to Formula 1 in 1997.
The Red Bull Ring is approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from the original Zeltweg circuit. In the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, George Russell of Williams Racing also stunned the world by claiming his second career Formula One win. His victory ended Mercedes’ winless streak since the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.
