George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli limits title damage from 16th

Russell secures lights-to-flag victory in Baku

George Russell converted pole position into his eighth career Formula 1 victory and third of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday. The Mercedes driver led all 51 laps around the Baku City Circuit, finishing 0.196 seconds ahead of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen had started eighth after experiencing a battery problem during Friday qualifying, but advanced steadily through the field with a replacement engine. Russell managed mid-race concerns after brushing the track barrier and asking his pit crew to monitor his right-side tyre pressures. The result marked Russell's first Grand Prix win since the Austrian Grand Prix in late June. Russell spoke about his momentum following the race.

“It's amazing to be back on the top step of the podium. Every race since the (summer) break I've gone from strength to strength and I feel more like myself again.”

Red Bull double podium and safety car disruptions

Isack Hadjar secured third place in the second Red Bull, finishing 10.704 seconds behind Russell to achieve the team's first double podium finish since 2024. Hadjar returned to racing after missing three consecutive Grands Prix with a wrist injury, having signed a contract extension earlier in the week. The race order shifted on lap 31 when Williams driver Alex Albon collided with the wall at Turn 5, requiring the first safety car deployment. Russell and Verstappen pitted on lap 32, with Verstappen switching to soft tyres. At the lap 35 restart, Alpine driver Franco Colapinto locked his front wheels into Turn 1, crashing into teammate Pierre Gasly and collecting McLaren's Lando Norris, which eliminated all three drivers and immediately returned the safety car to the track.

Driver disputes and Aston Martin retirements

The Turn 1 restart crash prompted strong reactions from Norris, whose retirement left McLaren without points. Gasly had run seventh and Colapinto tenth prior to the accident, ending Alpine's opportunity for a double points finish. Norris spoke to reporters in the paddock regarding driving standards and vehicle damage costs.

“They should start giving bans for things like this. It's just carelessness on people's part.”

Aston Martin suffered two early retirements before the race reached its midpoint. Lance Stroll retired inside the opening ten laps, while Fernando Alonso parked his car on lap 22 after reporting a 1.1-second straightline speed deficit against Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas. Audi driver Nico Hülkenberg finished 11th after starting 18th, while Williams driver Carlos Sainz took tenth.

Antonelli climbs to fifth to protect championship lead

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth to preserve his overall standings advantage after starting 16th on the grid. Antonelli crashed into the Turn 1 barrier during Friday qualifying, damaging his left front suspension and forcing his mechanics to repair the car overnight. He progressed into tenth position by lap 17 and used the first safety car intervention to pit for fresh tyres. Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton took sixth, moving to 199 points in the drivers' championship. Russell reduced Antonelli's lead by 15 points, leaving the gap at 66 points after 15 rounds. Antonelli reflected on limiting the damage in Baku.

“In the end it was my most difficult weekend of the year. After what happened in qualifying we managed to limit the damage, so I have to settle for this fifth place.”

Max Verstappen0.196

Isack Hadjar10.704

Kimi Antonelli14.512

Max Verstappen

0.196 s

Isack Hadjar

10.704 s

Kimi Antonelli

14.512 s

Data from the article text