George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026: Baku Thriller Ends in Mercedes Victory
George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026: Russell Holds On
The George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 story ended with Mercedes celebrating a dramatic victory as Russell converted pole position into his third Grand Prix win of the season. The Briton survived two Safety Car restarts and a late charge from Max Verstappen to win by just 0.196 seconds at the Baku City Circuit. Verstappen finished second, while Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar completed the podium on his return from injury.
George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Starts From Pole
Russell entered the race with momentum after taking his fifth pole position of 2026 in qualifying. His 1:42.526 lap was 0.837 seconds quicker than Charles Leclerc, with Oscar Piastri third and Lando Norris fifth. Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, crashed in Q1 and started 16th.
Russell made a clean getaway and immediately controlled the race. Piastri initially moved into second, while Verstappen and Hadjar remained in contention behind. Russell gradually built a sizeable advantage before the first major incident changed the complexion of the race.
George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Turns Chaotic
The first Safety Car arrived after Williams driver Alex Albon crashed on Lap 31 while fighting Esteban Ocon. The neutralisation brought the field together and erased Russell’s advantage.
The restart produced even more drama. Franco Colapinto locked up and collided with Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly, with Gasly’s car then collecting Norris. The incident ended the race for Colapinto, Gasly and the reigning world champion Norris.
Norris had started fifth after struggling for straight-line speed in qualifying. His final qualifying lap was also compromised by a lock-up at Turn 3. His Baku race therefore ended without points, while McLaren team-mate Piastri also lost a potential podium after locking up later in the race and eventually finishing 14th.
Russell Beats Verstappen in a Thrilling Finish
After the second Safety Car restart, Russell faced intense pressure from Verstappen. The Red Bull driver had moved from eighth on the grid to second and attacked Mercedes through the closing laps.
Russell kept his composure and crossed the finish line just 0.196 seconds ahead of Verstappen, securing his first Grand Prix victory since Austria and his third win of the 2026 season. Hadjar’s return was equally significant as the Frenchman finished third, giving Red Bull a double podium.
Behind them, Charles Leclerc finished fourth, Antonelli recovered from 16th to fifth, and Lewis Hamilton took sixth. Arvid Lindblad was seventh, followed by Ocon, Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz.
George Russell Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Changes Championship Picture
Russell’s victory reduced Antonelli’s championship advantage. After Baku, Antonelli remained first on 302 points, with Russell moving to 236. Lewis Hamilton was third on 199, followed by Norris on 186, Leclerc on 179 and Verstappen on 163.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix therefore produced a major shift in the title battle without changing the championship leader. With more races still remaining, Mercedes leave Baku with another victory, while McLaren face a difficult weekend after both cars failed to finish inside the top 10.
