Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after late fight with Verstappen
George Russell won the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Mercedes, holding off Max Verstappen by 0.196 seconds in a late battle at the Baku City Circuit. The result was Russell’s third victory of the season and reduced team mate Kimi Antonelli’s lead at the top of the championship.
Azerbaijan marked 10 years on the Formula 1 calendar with another eventful race weekend in Baku. Starting from pole position, George Russell converted that advantage into victory for Mercedes in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Russell’s win was hard-fought, with two closely linked Safety Car periods bunching up the field before a late-race fight with Max Verstappen. Russell stayed ahead to take the chequered flag by 0.196 seconds over the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen finished second as Red Bull took a double podium, with Isack Hadjar third on his return from injury. Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, while Kimi Antonelli finished fifth.
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