GEORGE RUSSELL REFUSES SKY SPORTS INTERVIEW AFTER COVERING CHAMPAGNE ON TED KRAVITZ

George Russell covered Ted Kravtiz with champagne during the pit lane reporter's notebook segment after the Austrian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver then walked away from the broadcaster as he attempted to lure him in for a short interview.

After fending off the threat of team-mate Lewis Hamilton during the early stages of the race, it looked as though Russell was heading towards a comfortable P3 finish with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both holding a considerable pace advantage ahead.

However, a slow Red Bull pit stop left Verstappen in the clutches of his rival and after several close calls, the pair came together at Turn Three, giving both drivers punctures and eventually sending Norris out of the race entirely.

Russell was the winner from this exchange, cutting through while his rivals limped back to the pit lane to seal a smash-and-grab victory with McLaren's Oscar Piastri right behind. This was the Brit's second-ever F1 win and ended a wait for number two that spanned back to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2022.

The celebrations at Mercedes raged on long after the chequered flag and Kravitz caught up with the Brackley-based team during his notebook segment on Sky Sports F1, where Russell poured his race winner's champagne bottle over the 50-year-old's head.

"No, no, no, please!" Kravitz exclaimed in a half-joking tone, before stealing a taste of the beverage and responding: "It's actually very nice. You can get a real taste for it, can't you? That's lovely."

While Kravitz turned to face his camera crew, Russell disappeared into the hordes of Mercedes staff members waiting outside the garage, so when he turned around, the reporter's interview opportunity was gone.

"But anyway, listen, well done son... oi," Kravitz continued. "You don't get away that easily! Come on... come on... well done son. What, and I don't even get an interview? Do I not even get an interview?"

The win was a well-earned one for Russell, despite its fortuitous circumstances. "The team have done an amazing job to put us in this fight," he explained. "You've got to be there to pick up the pieces and that's where we were. "They were going for it. I couldn't believe how close we were to Lando and Max.

"We were only about 12 seconds behind and I knew it was a possibility. You are always dreaming. Just so proud to be back on the top step. We have made so many strides since the start of the season. The last few races have been incredible. More to come."

2024-07-01T07:12:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd