Before the start of the Austrian Grand Prix, the most likely British driver to win the race was McLaren star Lando Norris.
Lando Norris would have been frustrated to have only finished third during Saturday’s Sprint Race after briefly being ahead of Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman immediately overtook him at the next corner and his teammate Oscar Piastri snuck through just to add insult to injury.
However, during Sunday’s Grand Prix, Norris looked in a very comfortable position to finish runner-up to the triple world champion.
That was until Red Bull made an uncharacteristic mistake during the final round of pit stops and Norris suddenly had Verstappen in his sights.
After several laps and a few failed moves later, both drivers had their races ruined by some unfortunate contact.
Verstappen could have given his rival more space and the stewards agreed with Martin Brundle that the 26-year-old was at fault.
The biggest benefactor to their collision was George Russell who after being disappointed with a 3 place finish in Canada, was suddenly in pole position to win his second-ever Formula 1 race.
Toto Wolff was incredibly excited on the team radio and Russell managed to guide his Mercedes home with Piastri and Carlos Sainz chasing him down.
The Brit took to Instagram after the race to celebrate his victory and Norris was magnanimous in defeat and sent his long-time rival a message of congratulations.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height
Lando Norris sends George Russell message after Austrian Grand Prix victory
Posting on social media after the Grand Prix, Russell said: “P1!!!! “You can win this thing” YES TEAM!! @mercedesamgf1”
Norris was the first of his fellow drivers to reply and simply said: “Congrats mate.”
The pair have known each other for a long time, racing against each other in Formula 2 when the Mercedes driver claimed the championship.
They stepped up to Formula 1 together – alongside Williams driver Alex Albon – and from that time have been three of the most impressive talents on the grid.
However, the thing missing from each of their trophy cabinets for years was a Formula 1 winner’s trophy.
Russell should have ended that wait in Sakhir when he deputised for Lewis Hamilton in 2020 were it not for some mistakes from the Mercedes team but took victory two years later in Brazil.
Norris was the next of the trio to break that duck in Miami this year, while Albon may have to wait for some time to join them given he’s just extended his Williams contract.
The pair may have been wondering behind the scenes who would add to their tally next and given McLaren’s advantage over Mercedes this year, Norris would have been confident it was going to be him.
However, unfortunately for Norris, it was him sending the message of congratulations to Russell instead after losing out in a tense battle with Verstappen.
READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration
George Russell shared his immediate reaction to Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s crash
Sitting in the cooldown room after the Grand Prix with fellow podium finishers Piastri and Sainz, the trio watched on as they saw the moment that earned them all a place in the top three.
The question now is whether Russell can make sure he doesn’t have to wait another four years before he wins his third Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Formula 1 world will be waiting to see if Verstappen and Norris will continue their battle at the British Grand Prix.
The home crowd at Silverstone is unlikely to give the Dutchman the friendliest of welcomes.
The post Lando Norris sends two-word message to George Russell after Mercedes driver handed Austrian GP victory appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
