Winner and losers from F1's blistering Austrian Grand Prix

Key Points:

• George Russell secured a crucial pole-to-flag victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, marking his second win of the season and providing a significant psychological boost after recent setbacks and comparisons with teammate Kimi Antonelli.
• McLaren and Ferrari struggled in Austria, with Ferrari particularly suffering from excessive rear tyre degradation in the heat, causing a drop in performance compared to their strong showing in Barcelona.
• Max Verstappen and Red Bull showed promising signs with aerodynamic upgrades at their home race, allowing Verstappen to finish second despite handling issues, signaling potential competitiveness for the 2026 season amid ongoing contract talks.
• Williams endured a difficult weekend marked by reliability issues and poor pace, with both drivers eliminated in Q1 and team boss James Vowles promising a major car upgrade by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to address performance concerns.
• Racing Bulls impressed by securing ninth and tenth places, outperforming midfield rivals like Alpine and providing a stable environment for driver development, while Cadillac and Aston Martin faced reliability and performance challenges despite Cadillac's ongoing upgrades.