George Russell claims Baku Grand Slam victory ahead of Max Verstappen

Mercedes controls the Baku street circuit

George Russell converted pole position into victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The British driver led every lap on the Baku street circuit and set the fastest lap of the race, completing a Formula 1 Grand Chelem. The event took place on Saturday instead of Sunday because Azerbaijan observes a national holiday on 27 September. Russell made a clean start from the front row and established an immediate advantage over McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Leclerc held third position for the opening four laps before dropping behind the advancing Red Bull cars. Russell subsequently expanded his lead to approximately ten seconds over the chasing pack before neutralization periods erased the margin.

Safety car interventions compress the field

The running order shifted on lap 31 when an accident involving Alexander Albon brought out the safety car. Mercedes brought Russell into the pits for a set of soft compound tyres, and Red Bull mirrored the move by pitting Max Verstappen for fresh softs. Isack Hadjar and the Ferrari drivers elected to stay out on their existing rubber. When racing resumed, Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto made contact with each other, triggering a collision that also ensnared McLaren driver Lando Norris. The incident resulted in immediate retirements for Gasly, Colapinto, and Norris, prompting race officials to deploy the safety car for a second time.

Verstappen challenges in the final laps

Racing resumed with intense battles across the top positions. Piastri overtook Hadjar to claim third place at the restart, but the McLaren driver subsequently misjudged a braking zone and drove straight off the circuit, ending his race and returning third place to Red Bull. Verstappen applied relentless pressure on Russell throughout the final laps of the Grand Prix. Russell defended the lead across the closing sector, crossing the finish line 0.196 seconds ahead of the Dutch driver. The victory represents Russell's third Grand Prix win of the 2026 campaign, excluding sprint events. Haas driver Esteban Ocon crossed the line to take eighth position.

Hadjar converts return into third place

Hadjar completed the podium in third place during his first race weekend since sustaining a left wrist injury that sidelined him for three events. The 22-year-old French driver, who agreed to a contract extension with Red Bull earlier in the week, overcame a disrupted preparation after missing two-thirds of opening practice due to a mechanical issue. Hadjar qualified in fourth position on Friday, while his teammate Verstappen qualified eighth following car difficulties. Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli started 16th after colliding with the barriers during Friday qualifying.

I am satisfied with my approach and I listened to myself. I signed a contract and I told myself that I did not have the right to end up in the wall this weekend. Baku is a complicated track to return to after two months. I know that if I crash, there is a chance I will damage my wrist again.

The result marks Hadjar's second podium finish of the campaign, matching his earlier third place at Monaco. Russell's maximum points haul in Baku closes the gap in the drivers' championship standings to his teammate Antonelli.