Azerbaijan GP 2026: George Russell Holds Off Max Verstappen For Dramatic Baku Win
George Russell delivered a commanding drive from pole to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, holding off a late charge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.196 seconds. Verstappen fought back from eighth on the grid to finish second, while teammate Isack Hadjar completed the podium on his return from injury. The race was transformed by two safety car periods, with Russell maintaining his lead through tense restarts before Verstappen closed in during the final 11 laps. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli recovered from 16th to finish fifth, cutting his championship lead to 66 points over Russell with eight races remaining. Charles Leclerc was fourth, ahead of Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz, while McLaren endured a disastrous afternoon as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris failed to finish in the points.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after finishing second after the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France smiles after finishing third the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates after winning the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain poses with trophy after winning the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives in the pit-lane after the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates his victory with team members after the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix auto race in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain celebrates after winning the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain drives to the grid ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain gets out of his car after a crash during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain and Alpine driver Franco Colapinto of Argentina sit in their cars after crashing during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix auto race, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Pavel Bednyakov
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