Mercedes’ George Russell survived a late challenge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to win his third Formula 1 race of the season on Saturday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Russell started from the pole, built a big early lead on the Baku City Circuit before two safety-car restarts, and then held on to finish 0.196 seconds ahead of a late-charging Verstappen.
With his first victory since the Austrian Grand Prix on June 28, Russell closed the gap in the F1 title race on Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli from 81 points to 66.
“Every race since the (mid-season) break I have gone from strength to strength and I feel more like myself again,” Russell said.
Isack Hadjar returned after missing three races with a wrist injury to finish third, giving Red Bull its first double-podium finish since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth and Antonelli fought his way to fifth place after starting 16th following a crash in qualifying.
A crash on the final lap by Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas gave Verstappen an opportunity to try to chase down Russell.
“I lost the boost, I had no power. Thought he was going to get us,” Russell said after edging the four-time world champion.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, with Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad, Haas teammates Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, and Williams’ Carlos Sainz closing out the top 10.
It was a rough day for McLaren, with Oscar Piastri finishing 14th and Lando Norris crashing out. Norris was one of seven drivers who did not finish the race.
–Field Level Media
