Formula 1 Drivers Standings Shift After Austria Grand Prix

Mercedes secured a dominant 1-2 finish in the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29, 2024, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell extending their lead in the Drivers’ Championship. Hamilton, who started from pole position, crossed the line first, while Russell—returning to second place after a podium finish—solidified the team’s grip on the top two spots in the standings.

The result marks the third consecutive race where Mercedes has taken both podium positions, reinforcing their status as the class of the field in the 2024 season. Russell, who had previously struggled with consistency, delivered a strong performance in Austria, finishing just 0.3 seconds behind Hamilton. His podium finish was the 12th of his career, further cementing his reputation as one of the most reliable drivers in the sport.

With 187 points, Hamilton now leads the championship by 43 points over his teammate, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (144 points) remains third. The gap between Mercedes and the rest of the field has widened significantly, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen—the 2023 world champion—currently in fourth place with 138 points. The Austrian Grand Prix result further underscores Mercedes’ dominance ahead of the summer break, with just two races remaining before the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 4.

Mercedes’ strategic advantage in qualifying and race pace has been a key factor in their success this season. The team’s ability to extract maximum performance from their W15 car—despite early-season struggles—has allowed Hamilton and Russell to consistently outperform their rivals. According to team principal Toto Wolff, who spoke after the race, “This is the result of a lot of hard work from the whole team. The car is performing exceptionally well, and the drivers have been clinical today.”

Russell’s return to second place came after a mixed start to the season, where he had faced challenges in matching Hamilton’s consistency. However, his performance in Austria—where he started sixth and fought his way back to the podium—demonstrated his resilience. “It’s a great feeling to be back on the podium, especially in such a strong way,” Russell said. “The car was really strong today, and I’m just happy to be contributing to the team’s success.”

Looking ahead, Mercedes will aim to maintain their momentum as the field prepares for the summer break. The next race, the Hungarian Grand Prix, will be held on a challenging street circuit, where tire management and overtaking opportunities could play a crucial role. While Mercedes remains the team to beat, Ferrari and Red Bull will be looking to close the gap before the season’s final stretch.

For Hamilton, the Austrian victory was his 104th career win, moving him closer to equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins in a single season. With three races remaining, he has a realistic chance of surpassing Schumacher’s milestone, provided he maintains his current form. Russell, meanwhile, continues to build on his reputation as a consistent performer, even when Hamilton is not at his best.

As the season progresses, the focus will shift to the technical regulations changes set to take effect in 2026, which aim to reduce costs and increase competition. For now, however, Mercedes remains the team to watch, with their drivers leading the way in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

According to the official Formula 1 standings, the current top five drivers are:

• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 187 points
• George Russell (Mercedes) – 144 points
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 144 points
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 138 points
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 112 points

The Constructors’ Championship currently stands as follows:

• Mercedes – 331 points
• Ferrari – 288 points
• Red Bull Racing – 276 points
• Aston Martin – 198 points
• McLaren – 102 points