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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 14:23, 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.
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.
More to follow...
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