Russell wins Azerbaijan GP to cut Antonelli's title lead
Russell led from pole and finished 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen as Mercedes cut Kimi Antonelli’s points lead to 81.
- On Saturday, September 26, 2026, George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, holding off Max Verstappen by 0.1 seconds to claim his third victory of the season.
- Kimi Antonelli started from 16th place after a qualifying crash left him compromised, while a practice hydraulic failure limited his track time in Baku.
- The points gap narrowed to 66 points as official championship standings show Antonelli at 302 points and Russell at 236 following the race.
- Demanding a 'one-race ban' for Franco Colapinto, McLaren driver Lando Norris denounced the restart collision that eliminated him and Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
- Russell vowed to keep fighting for the title until it is "mathematically impossible," with eight rounds remaining in the championship battle.
321 Articles
321 Articles
George Russell Fends Off Max Verstappen, Wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix To Trim Kimi Antonelli's WDC Lead
George Russell held off Max Verstappen for his first Formula 1 win in three months to cut into Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli's standings lead at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday.
George Russell holds off Verstappen in close finish in Azerbaijan to trim Antonelli's F1 lead
George Russell has held off Max Verstappen for his first Formula 1 win in three months to cut into Kimi Antonelli’s standings lead at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Russell started on pole and built a big lead before having to…
Algemeen Dagblad
With eight races remaining, Max Verstappen is still chasing his first win of the season since 2015. In Baku, he came very close. "But it looked closer at the finish line than it actually was."
On Saturday, the British Mercedes rider won a very lively race in Baku, after almost being overtaken by Max Verstappen on the finish line. Finally, the Dutchman was second in the race, ahead of his French team-mate at Red Bull.
George Russell resisted the assaults of Max Verstappen at the end of the race to sign his first victory in three months on Saturday in Baku.
The British cut 15 points to the Italian, fifth finally, in a race marked by a Verstappen that grazed the triumph in the last breath and in which Hadjar completed the podium. Sainz was tenth and abandoned Alonso Read
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