Andrea Kimi AntonelliGeorge RussellJoe James 
via PlanetF1Winners and losers from the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand PrixGeorge Russell delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, winning the race and reigniting his championship hopes. He dominated the weekend, showcasing his speed and resilience, particularly after overcoming challenges earlier in the season. Russell expressed pride in his team's efforts and his growing confidence with the car, despite being significantly behind in the championship standings.
Conversely, Franco Colapinto faced severe backlash after crashing into teammate Lando Norris, jeopardising Alpine's points in the Constructors' Championship. Colapinto took full responsibility for his mistake, which could have costly implications for the team. His actions have drawn the ire of team principal Flavio Briatore, who is contemplating potential disciplinary measures, while the situation has escalated tensions among fans on social media.
PlanetF1Mon 28 Sep · 06:29 UTC
via f1chronicle.comKimi Antonelli Admits He Drove Like His Grandmother as Title Lead Shrinks to 66 Points in BakuKimi Antonelli expressed disappointment with his performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he finished fifth after starting from 16th. He attributed his cautious driving to a lack of confidence and technical issues that limited his practice time. Despite the setback, Antonelli's lead in the championship standings over teammate George Russell has decreased to 66 points, as Russell secured victory in Baku.
Antonelli acknowledged that this race was his worst of the season, noting that he was in 'damage save mode' and could not drive aggressively due to floor damage sustained during the race. He highlighted the difference between his cautious approach in Baku and his previous win at Monza, where he had more confidence and pace. The next race at the Bahrain Grand Prix offers Antonelli a chance to recover from this challenging weekend.
f1chronicle.comSun 27 Sep · 20:26 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell Claims First Grand Slam of His Career With Baku Win That Slashes Antonelli’s Title LeadGeorge Russell secured his first career Grand Slam by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading every lap and finishing just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. This victory reduced Kimi Antonelli's championship lead from 81 points to 66, with eight races remaining in the season. Russell expressed that he feels more like himself again after a challenging stretch, crediting his team for their support during tough times.
Antonelli, who had a difficult weekend, crashed in qualifying and started from 16th position, ultimately finishing fifth. Despite this setback, he still maintains a significant lead in the championship standings. Russell's win has revitalised the title race, and he remains determined to win every remaining race this season.f1chronicle.comSun 27 Sep · 20:25 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star reveals massive damage after Azerbaijan Grand Prix moment - 'I was driving like my grandmother'Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, faced significant challenges during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing in fifth place after starting from 16th. His race was impacted by a crash involving Franco Colapinto, which resulted in heavy damage to Antonelli's car, particularly on the left side, forcing him to adopt a cautious driving style to avoid further incidents.
Despite the damage, Antonelli managed to pass Lewis Hamilton and came close to overtaking Charles Leclerc, finishing just half a second behind him. The young Italian's performance allowed him to maintain his position as the championship leader, although he expressed frustration over the limitations imposed by his damaged vehicle.
gpfans.comSun 27 Sep · 19:45 UTC
via grandprix.comIsack Hadjar praised for Baku podium after injury layoffIsack Hadjar received commendations from Red Bull's Laurent Mekies for his impressive performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a podium finish. Mekies highlighted Hadjar's combination of speed, restraint, and tactical awareness following a six-week injury absence.grandprix.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 15:20 UTC
via PlanetF1Lando Norris ‘race ban’ theory under Verstappen, Hadjar and Russell scrutinyLando Norris has called for a race ban for Franco Colapinto following a multi-car collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which resulted in Norris retiring from the race. Norris believes that Colapinto's actions were careless and deserving of a ban, stating that such incidents cost teams significant amounts of money.
However, his request has faced criticism from fellow drivers George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Isack Hadjar, who feel that a race ban is too severe for what they consider a small mistake. Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, which has been converted into a five-place grid drop for his next race.PlanetF1Sun 27 Sep · 13:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya tells Kimi Antonelli to 'stop thinking' after spotting a problem in BakuKimi Antonelli made an impressive recovery in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth after starting from sixteenth. However, his performance raised concerns from Juan Pablo Montoya, who noted that Antonelli seemed to be driving conservatively, potentially due to the pressure of maintaining his championship lead.
Montoya highlighted that Antonelli was slower than usual, suggesting he was overly cautious and not pushing himself to the limit. Antonelli acknowledged his reserved driving style, stating he was in 'let’s save the car' mode and lacked the confidence he had shown in previous races.
f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 13:00 UTC
via the-race.comAntonelli passed a key test Piastri had failedKimi Antonelli demonstrated resilience during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing fifth despite a challenging weekend that he labelled as his worst of the season. With an 81-point lead in the championship, Antonelli managed to navigate the race carefully after sustaining damage, showcasing a strategic approach that avoided the pitfalls faced by Oscar Piastri in the previous year's event, where Piastri's campaign began to unravel due to multiple errors.
Antonelli's ability to adapt his driving style and mindset during the race was crucial, as he opted for a conservative strategy rather than risking a crash. This decision allowed him to minimize the points lost to rival George Russell, ultimately preserving his championship lead. Looking ahead, Antonelli expressed confidence in returning to form for the upcoming race in Malaysia, indicating his determination to re-establish his competitive edge.
the-race.comSun 27 Sep · 12:04 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen denies George Russell super-rare F1 achievement only Lewis Hamilton holdsDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, George Russell came close to achieving a Super Grand Chelem, a rare feat only accomplished by Lewis Hamilton. Russell dominated the early sessions, topping Free Practice 1 and 2, securing pole position, and winning the race while also setting the fastest lap. However, he fell short of the Super Grand Chelem after Max Verstappen outpaced him in Free Practice 3.
Verstappen's performance in Free Practice 3, where he clocked a time of 1:43.922, prevented Russell from joining the exclusive club of drivers who have topped every session, qualified first, led every lap, and set the fastest lap in a race. Hamilton remains the only driver to have achieved this since the current qualifying format was introduced in 2006.
RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 11:10 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMotorsport Week’s 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP Driver RatingsGeorge Russell achieved his first victory of the 2026 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the race weekend. He started from pole position and maintained control despite pressure from Max Verstappen, who finished just a tenth of a second behind him at the chequered flag. Isack Hadjar made a strong comeback to secure third place after recovering from a wrist injury that had sidelined him for three races.
Kimi Antonelli managed to limit damage by finishing fifth after starting from P16 due to a qualifying incident. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled with pace, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. Arvid Lindblad and Esteban Ocon also scored points, while Oliver Bearman ended his point-less streak by finishing ninth. Liam Lawson faced difficulties after a collision with his teammate Lindblad.
Motorsport WeekSun 27 Sep · 11:01 UTC
via f1oversteer.comSebastian Vettel admits he 'expected more' from Kimi Antonelli despite P5 comeback drive in BakuKimi Antonelli made a significant comeback in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing in fifth place after starting from sixteenth. This performance earned him 10 points in the championship, although it followed a costly mistake during qualifying. His teammate George Russell took pole position, highlighting the competitive nature of the race.
Sebastian Vettel, who has previously praised Antonelli's performance this season, expressed that he expected the young driver to navigate through the field more easily. Despite acknowledging Antonelli's maturity and the pressure he has handled, Vettel felt that the comeback drive did not meet the high expectations set for him, especially given the tight competition seen during the race.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli reveals mindset shift as he 'drove like his grandmother'Kimi Antonelli revealed a cautious approach during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing in fifth place and losing 15 points to his teammate George Russell. His championship lead has now been reduced to 66 points. Antonelli faced several challenges, including a hydraulics issue in practice and a crash in qualifying that left him starting from 16th position.
During the race, Antonelli opted for a conservative strategy, stating he was 'driving like his grandmother' to avoid risks. He encountered further difficulties after a collision that caused significant damage to his car. Despite these setbacks, he managed to adapt his mindset and aimed to capitalize on mistakes made by other drivers throughout the race.RacingNews365Sun 27 Sep · 09:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comMercedes did not expect Monza repeat from AntonelliMercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Kimi Antonelli was never expected to replicate his previous performance from Monza during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell secured victory at the Baku City Circuit, converting his pole position into a win for Mercedes.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSun 27 Sep · 06:55 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with all penalties applied from BakuGeorge Russell claimed victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from start to finish despite pressure from Max Verstappen in the closing laps. This win marks Russell's first since June, with Verstappen finishing just 0.196 seconds behind, making it one of the closest finishes in recent history.
Red Bull's Isack Hadjar secured third place, contributing to the team's first double podium since 2024. McLaren faced a challenging race, with Lando Norris crashing out and Oscar Piastri finishing 14th. Franco Colapinto was penalised for causing a collision, which will affect his grid position in the next race.gpfans.comSun 27 Sep · 06:14 UTC
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP conclusions: Russell back in the game, Colapinto ban demand, untelevised Hamilton radioLewis Hamilton's untelevised team radio during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has come under scrutiny after he called for a ban on Lando Norris following a racing incident. This demand has sparked discussions about the implications of such requests in Formula 1, particularly regarding driver conduct and team dynamics.
In the same race, George Russell secured his third victory of the 2026 season, holding off Max Verstappen, who finished second. Isack Hadjar achieved a notable third place, marking Red Bull's first double podium finish since 2024. The race highlighted the ongoing competitive tensions within the sport, especially as Hamilton's comments add to the narrative surrounding driver accountability and the enforcement of racing standards.PlanetF1Sun 27 Sep · 05:04 UTC
via f1technical.net"I never lost that faith in myself," claims Russell after his dominant showing in BakuGeorge Russell secured his first Formula 1 victory since Austria by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 27 September 2026. Starting from pole position, Russell maintained control for most of the race, but faced significant pressure from Max Verstappen after two Safety Car periods brought the field closer together. Despite a tense final few laps, where he even clipped the wall, Russell managed to fend off Verstappen's challenge and crossed the finish line first.
After the race, Russell expressed his pride in the hard work he and his engineering team put in to overcome earlier season difficulties. He highlighted his recent form, having achieved three podiums in the last four races, and conveyed confidence in his ability to compete for victories consistently. Looking ahead, Russell mentioned upcoming upgrades for Mercedes, which he hopes will enhance their performance in future races.
f1technical.netSat 26 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Race Statistics, Facts and TriviaGeorge Russell secured victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his eighth career win and achieving his first Grand Slam by leading every lap and setting the fastest lap. He won by a narrow margin of 0.196 seconds, the closest finish since 2023, and this victory also allowed Mercedes to equal Ferrari for the most wins in Formula 1 history.
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completed the podium, marking Red Bull's first double podium finish in over two years. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively, while Kimi Antonelli, who started 16th, finished fifth. Haas achieved a double points finish for the first time at Baku, with Carlos Sainz rounding out the top ten.lightsoutblog.comSat 26 Sep · 21:27 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell keeps the Red Bulls at bay to conquer BakuGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by just one tenth of a second. Isack Hadjar, Verstappen's teammate, finished in third place, marking a successful race for Red Bull as they confirmed Hadjar's seat through to 2027. Russell managed to maintain his lead despite pressure from Verstappen after two Safety Car periods, showcasing strong pace throughout the race.
The race saw a strategic use of tyre compounds, with Russell and Verstappen starting on the Soft compound and Hadjar opting for an alternative strategy. Kimi Antonelli, who finished fifth, continues to lead the FIA Formula One World Championship standings. Russell's victory has significantly narrowed the points gap to Antonelli, highlighting the competitive nature of the championship as teams and drivers adapt to the challenging Baku circuit.f1chronicle.comSat 26 Sep · 20:49 UTC
via RacingNews365Russell survives Verstappen charge as Colapinto causes crash chaosGeorge Russell secured victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen by 0.196 seconds. This win places Russell 66 points behind Kimi Antonelli, who made a remarkable recovery from 16th on the grid to finish fifth.
The race was relatively calm until an incident involving Alex Albon brought out the safety car. The restart led to chaos as Franco Colapinto collided with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, prompting Norris to call for a race ban for Colapinto.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 19:42 UTC
via RaceFans2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix interactive data: lap charts, times and tyres | 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix interactive dataDuring the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marshals mistakenly displayed Safety Car boards to drivers, causing confusion. The stewards later explained their decision not to penalise Aiden Lindblad for colliding with Liam Lawson, despite the incident's impact on the race.
Valtteri Bottas revealed that a "big super-clip" led to his last-lap crash, attributing it to a system malfunction. Esteban Ocon admitted to playing it too safe during a last-lap yellow flag situation, while Lando Norris expressed his frustration, stating that some drivers should not be competing in Formula 1.
RaceFansSat 26 Sep · 17:53 UTC
via BBC Sport'Mr Saturday' Russell 'comes through other side' after 'real tough period'George Russell achieved a significant victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first win since the end of June and his third of the 2026 season. This win comes after a challenging period for Russell, who has struggled to keep pace with his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has dominated the season with eight victories. Russell's triumph has reduced the points gap between him and Antonelli to 66, providing a glimmer of hope as the season progresses.
Throughout the race weekend, Russell demonstrated superior performance, being fastest in practice and maintaining his lead despite a late challenge from Max Verstappen. Antonelli faced difficulties, including a qualifying mistake that left him starting from 16th. Russell's win is seen as a turning point, showcasing his resilience and hard work in adapting to the new car. Mercedes is expected to introduce a significant upgrade in the upcoming Bahrain/Malaysia race, which could further impact the championship standings.
BBC SportSat 26 Sep · 17:44 UTC
via espn.comRussell warns Antonelli: 'Pressure is on you'George Russell achieved a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking the most dominant performance of his career. He won the race after starting from pole position and narrowly held off Max Verstappen, finishing just 0.1 seconds ahead. This win allowed Russell to reduce Kimi Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points, as Antonelli struggled to recover from a poor qualifying performance that left him starting in 16th place.
Despite his fifth-place finish, Antonelli remains in control of the championship standings. He acknowledged that he drove conservatively during the race, aiming to secure points rather than take risks. Russell, on the other hand, expressed renewed confidence in his ability to compete for victories in the remaining races of the season, emphasizing his determination to win every race moving forward.
espn.comSat 26 Sep · 17:40 UTC
via F1iAzerbaijan GP: Saturday's action in picturesThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday was filled with excitement, highlighted by George Russell's commanding win. The race saw a dramatic first corner where Franco Colapinto's error significantly impacted the outcome, while safety cars played a crucial role in reshuffling the order throughout the event.
Isack Hadjar made a remarkable comeback from injury, achieving a podium finish, and Kimi Antonelli showcased impressive driving by advancing from 16th to 5th place. The race was part of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, marking round 15 of the season.
F1iSat 26 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via racer.comVerstappen doubts victory was possible despite historic close finishMax Verstappen expressed doubts about his chances of winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite finishing just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell. He started the race from eighth position due to engine issues and yellow flags during qualifying, but managed to climb to third early on, aided by a team order to pass teammate Isack Hadjar. However, he struggled to overtake Oscar Piastri during the opening laps and only managed to pass him after the first safety car restart on lap 36.
Verstappen reflected on his performance, stating that even with a better qualifying position, he believed it would have been difficult to overtake Russell due to his pace. He highlighted the effectiveness of the soft tires during the final laps, which allowed him to push hard, but ultimately felt that the race result would not have changed significantly. The race marked a successful outing for Red Bull Racing, achieving a double podium finish.
racer.comSat 26 Sep · 17:28 UTC