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Azerbaijan GP: George Russell holds off Max Verstappen for victory in thrilling Baku finale as Kimi Antonelli recovers to fifth
George Russell claims lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes; Russell held off Red Bull's Max Verstappen after big lead shrunk by two Safety Car periods; world championship leader Kimi Antonelli fights back from 16th to finish fifth as Russell reduces deficit to 66 points
Saturday 26 September 2026 14:41, UK
George Russell held off Max Verstappen in a thrilling finale to claim victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by just a tenth of a second.
Mercedes' Russell had been on course for a dominant victory before two Safety Cars wiped out the 11-second lead he had built and left him desperately defending Red Bull's Verstappen in the closing stages.
The lights-to-flag triumph reduces Russell's deficit to his team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the top of the world championship to 66 points after the Italian fought back from 16th on the grid, following a qualifying crash, to finish fifth.
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Isack Hadjar took third to seal Red Bull's first double-podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, completing an impressive comeback after missing three races with a wrist injury.
Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari after dropping back from second in the early stages, while his team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished where he started in sixth after lacking pace throughout.
Lando Norris was taken out of the race along with Pierre Gasly when the latter's Alpine team-mate Franco Colapinto crashed into them at the restart after the first Safety Car interruption, which had been caused by Williams' Alex Albon crashing out.
The result leaves Russell as the only realistic threat to Antonelli claiming the title, with third-placed Hamilton now 103 points back, and fourth-placed Norris 116 points off the lead with eight rounds remaining.
Mercedes also took another step towards sealing a first constructors' title since 2021, moving 160 points clear of Ferrari at the top of the standings.
That multi-car collision opened up points-scoring opportunities for others, with Arvid Lindblad taking seventh after overtaking Haas' Esteban Ocon on the run to chequered flag.
Oliver Bearman was just behind them to secure a double-points finish for Haas, while Carlos Sainz took the final point for Williams as he overcame a five-place grid penalty and losing time from pitting before the first Safety Car, unlike most of the field.
Another dismal weekend for Aston Martin saw both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll fail to finish the race after suffering technical issues.
More to follow...
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