New Delhi, June 27 -- Mercedes driver George Russell delivered a composed and brave final lap to claim pole position for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. He beat Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in a chaotic qualifying session at the Red Bull Ring. The result came moments after Max Verstappen crashed heavily in Q3, triggering yellow flags that changed everything.

The drama unfolded during the second runs of the pole shootout. Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull through Turn 9 and slammed into the barriers. Race Control immediately showed yellow flags. Kimi Antonelli, who held provisional pole, backed off completely. Russell saw the flags, lifted through the corner as required, and still managed to go two tenths quicker th...