WATCH: George Russell drenched Hans Zimmer in champagne after winning Austrian GP

In a stunning turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, George Russell clinched a dramatic victory for Mercedes. The race, held at the picturesque Red Bull Ring, was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a heartwarming and unexpected celebration involving legendary composer Hans Zimmer.

The race took an electrifying twist in the final laps as race leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull collided with Lando Norris of McLaren. This incident allowed Russell to capitalize and secure a victory, finishing 1.9 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren. The Mercedes team, which has shown remarkable improvement in recent races, celebrated this hard-fought win with exuberance.

Here is the video: 

What a star you are Hans Zimmer 😍 #F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/ggmbm17W9G

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 1, 2024

Following the chaotic finish, the podium ceremony was a jubilant affair. Amid the celebrations, George Russell spotted Hans Zimmer, who had attended the race as a guest. In a moment of pure joy and spontaneity, Russell drenched the famed composer in champagne. The Veteran also indulged in joy and being a sport. 

George Russell praised his team 

George Russell, elated with his victory, expressed his gratitude towards his team. "Incredible! The team has done an amazing job to put us in this fight and you've got to be there in the end to pick up the pieces," he said. 

Reflecting on the dramatic turn of events, he added, "I think it was a tough fight out there at the beginning of the race just to hold on to that third place. I saw on the TV that Max and Lando were getting pretty close -- and I knew Lando would want to try to get that race win."

The race day was marked by high temperatures, with the air reaching 29 degrees Celsius and the track hitting 49 degrees. Despite the heat, the drivers delivered an intense and action-packed performance. Verstappen, who started flawlessly from pole position, eventually faced challenges that saw him receive a 10-second penalty for causing the crash with Norris, who was forced to retire.

Carlos Sainz finished third for Ferrari, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes and Verstappen in fifth. The top ten was rounded out by Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly.