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.

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