Russell faultless while Hadjar excellent on return - driver ratings

George Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his third victory of the season by leading the race from start to finish. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, while Isack Hadjar made a strong return from injury to claim third. Kimi Antonelli, Russell's Mercedes teammate, managed to recover from a poor qualifying position to finish fifth, but his championship lead was cut significantly.

Russell's performance was highlighted by a stunning qualifying lap that put him on pole by over eight tenths of a second. Despite pressure from Verstappen towards the end of the race, Russell maintained his lead. The race showcased impressive recoveries from several drivers, including Antonelli and Hadjar, while others faced challenges that affected their results.