Key facts
- George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from start to finish.
- Max Verstappen finished second, closing to within two-tenths of a second of Russell.
- Kimi Antonelli qualified 16th after a crash but recovered to finish fifth.
- Charles Leclerc finished fourth.
- Isack Hadjar finished third, ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen.
- Ferrari's engine upgrade did not meet expectations, with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth.
George Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, leading from pole position to the checkered flag. The race, held on September 26, 2026, showcased the challenging Baku City Circuit, known for its tight walls and long straight. Russell's performance was reminiscent of his early-season form, though a late turbocharger failure allowed Red Bull's Max Verstappen to close the gap significantly, finishing just two-tenths of a second behind.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli experienced a difficult weekend. After a crash in qualifying that damaged his car and relegated him to 16th on the grid, he struggled to replicate his previous race win at Monza. Antonelli described his recovery drive as being like "a grandmother's." Despite his struggles, he managed to bring his Mercedes home in fifth place.
Red Bull's strong performance was highlighted by Isack Hadjar, who finished third after returning from injury, following his teammate Verstappen home. Charles Leclerc secured fourth place for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, indicating that Ferrari's recent engine upgrade has not resolved their performance issues. There is speculation within Ferrari about replacing team principal Fred Vasseur with Christian Horner.