George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Alpine teammates crash out in Baku

Russell takes victory from pole in Baku

Mercedes driver George Russell converted pole position into a race victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The British driver dominated the competitive action in Baku, controlling the field from the front of the grid to claim first place. The victory ended a prolonged absence from the top step of the podium for Russell, who had watched race honors go to the other side of the Mercedes garage across many months. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took second place behind Russell, while teammate Isack Hadjar finished in third position. Hadjar secured his podium finish on his return to the Formula 1 grid, giving Red Bull two drivers inside the top three.

Colapinto and Gasly collide in top-eight battle

Disaster struck the Alpine team during the middle phase of the Grand Prix, with reports timing the incident between lap 36 and lap 37. Both French driver Pierre Gasly and Argentine driver Franco Colapinto were running inside the top eight positions, putting the team on track for a double points haul in Baku. The collision occurred when Colapinto missed his braking point into a corner and struck the side of Gasly's car. The severe impact disabled both Alpine cars on the spot, preventing either competitor from returning to the track or making it back to the pit lane. The double retirement wiped out Alpine's top-eight positions in a single corner.

Gasly voiced his disbelief over the team radio immediately after understanding that his car could not restart.

I cannot believe it.

Multi-car crash claims Norris and disrupts the field

The crash involving the Alpine teammates produced immediate fallout across the Baku track, drawing in McLaren driver Lando Norris and terminating his race. Norris was collected in the incident when Colapinto missed his braking mark in the corner, ending McLaren's participation for that car on the spot. The accident compounded earlier retirements on Saturday, occurring in the wake of Alexander Albon abandoning the Grand Prix. The elimination of Norris alongside Gasly and Colapinto abruptly cleared three cars that were actively competing in or near the top eight positions.

Mercedes and Red Bull secure podium places

Russell managed his race cleanly through the subsequent laps around the Baku street circuit to secure the win ahead of Verstappen and Hadjar. Mercedes celebrated Russell's return to the top step of the podium, while Red Bull collected second and third places with Verstappen and Hadjar. In contrast, Alpine ended the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with zero points after seeing both Gasly and Colapinto retire while running in the top eight. The Baku event concluded with Russell taking victory from pole position, Verstappen in second, Hadjar on the podium in third, and Norris, Gasly, Colapinto, and Albon on the list of retirements.