Mercedes driver George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on Saturday, September 26, holding off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.196 seconds at the finish. Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar took third place.
Starting from pole, Russell built a lead through the first half of the 51-lap race. A crash by Williams driver Alex Albon brought out the Safety Car and erased much of that advantage. Soon after the restart, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto collided with teammate Pierre Gasly, who then struck McLaren’s Lando Norris. All three retired, prompting another Safety Car period.
Verstappen closed in during the final laps and challenged Russell down the main straight, but could not pass before the finish. The victory was Russell’s third of the season.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli recovered from 16th on the grid after a qualifying crash to take fifth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in sixth. Oscar Piastri, who had run near the front for much of the race, finished 14th after a braking error.
The race was held on Saturday because the Grand Prix schedule was moved forward ahead of Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day on September 27. Vesti Baku’s Russian report and Formula 1’s official race report have further details.