George Russell wins in Baku after starting from pole
Russell led every lap in Baku to take victory; Max Verstappen finished 0.196s behind and Isack Hadjar was third.
Baku — George Russell started from pole position and converted it into a lights-to-flag victory at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan on September 26, 2026.
Race summary
Russell never relinquished the lead during a tense street race on the Baku City Circuit, controlling pace and tyre management to take the checkered flag. His performance closed out a decisive weekend in which he led from the opening lap to the finish.
Max Verstappen chased hard and crossed the line in second place, finishing just 0.196 seconds behind Russell. The gap underlined how close the battle at the front was, but it was not enough to dislodge the winner.
The final podium spot went to Isack Hadjar, who finished more than ten seconds adrift of the leaders to claim third.
In the championship standings Andrea Kimi Antonelli remains on top with 292 points. Russell occupies second place with 211 points, while Lewis Hamilton is third on 191.
The Baku race supplied plenty of action on its tight, high-speed straights and narrow sections, but ultimately Russell’s clean run from pole secured him a commanding result for his team.
Photo: press material from the event
