George Russell takes pole for Austrian Grand Prix amid Verstappen crash
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 4:04 PM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
George Russell secured pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix on June 27, 2026, with a time of 1 minute 6.113 seconds during a tumultuous qualifying session. The session was marked by a late crash from Max Verstappen, which brought out yellow flags, causing some uncertainty over the legitimacy of Russell's lap. Despite lifting briefly through the yellow flags, Russell's time remained valid. He finished 0.236 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with teammate Lewis Hamilton in third. The qualifying session saw high drama, including Russell's earlier issues and Leclerc's mixed form this season.
- •Russell earns back-to-back pole positions for Mercedes.
- •Max Verstappen crashed late, causing yellow flags in qualifying.
- •Leclerc and Hamilton qualified second and third, respectively.
- •Russell lifted off the gas briefly but his lap time was cleared.
- •Russell seeks his first win since the season opener in Australia.
- 4:54 PMESPN — Russell takes pole in chaotic qualifying session
- 4:22 PMESPN F1 — Russell puts Mercedes on pole for Austrian GP
- 3:57 PMYahoo Sports — Russell beats Ferraris for Austria GP pole after Verstappen crashes
- 3:54 PMThe Guardian Sport — Russell snatches controversial Austrian Grand Prix pole after Verstappen’s late crash
"Accident brings out yellow flags in the closing seconds Mercedes driver beats Leclerc’s time by 0.236sec George Russell took pole for the Austrian Grand Prix after a dramatic finish to qualifying, the Mercedes driver claiming top spot despite a yellow flag after Max Verstappen had crashed out. Russell completed his lap, beating the Ferrari’s of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in second and third, but his lap stood as he had lifted off under the yellow flags. Continue reading...
"George Russell claimed pole position for the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday with an extraordinary lap at the end of a dramatic qualifying session in which Max Verstappen crashed late on. Russell clocked 1 minute 6.
"Mercedes' George Russell has taken back-to-back pole positions in a chaotic qualifying ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 27, 2026, 4:54 PMRussell takes pole in chaotic qualifying session
Mercedes' George Russell has taken back-to-back pole positions in a chaotic qualifying ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
- ESPN F1Jun 27, 2026, 4:22 PMRussell puts Mercedes on pole for Austrian GP
Mercedes' George Russell has taken back-to-back pole positions in a chaotic qualifying ahead of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 3:57 PMRussell beats Ferraris for Austria GP pole after Verstappen crashes
George Russell claimed pole position for the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday with an extraordinary lap at the end of a dramatic qualifying session in which Max Verstappen crashed late on. Russell clocked 1 minute 6.
- The Guardian SportJun 27, 2026, 3:54 PMRussell snatches controversial Austrian Grand Prix pole after Verstappen’s late crash
Accident brings out yellow flags in the closing seconds Mercedes driver beats Leclerc’s time by 0.236sec George Russell took pole for the Austrian Grand Prix after a dramatic finish to qualifying, the Mercedes driver claiming top spot despite a yellow flag after Max Verstappen had crashed out. Russell completed his lap, beating the Ferrari’s of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in second and third, but his lap stood as he had lifted off under the yellow flags. Continue reading...
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