Carlos PaceGeorge RussellJolyon Palmer 
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 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 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
via BBC SportRussell faultless while Hadjar excellent on return - driver ratingsGeorge 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.BBC SportSat 26 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via F1iVerstappen doubts better grid spot could have denied RussellMax Verstappen finished second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, acknowledging that George Russell had superior pace throughout the race. Despite starting from eighth due to qualifying troubles, Verstappen managed to climb through the field but found it challenging to overtake Oscar Piastri and ultimately could not threaten Russell's lead.
Verstappen noted that even with a better starting position, Russell's performance would likely have kept him ahead. The race was influenced by two safety cars, which allowed Verstappen to switch to softer tyres, enhancing his performance in the final laps. However, he concluded that Russell's pace would have made it difficult to secure a victory regardless of his starting position.F1iSat 26 Sep · 16:09 UTC
via theguardian.comNorris says some drivers ‘shouldn’t be in F1’ after Colapinto shunt dents title hopesLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the race by Franco Colapinto during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris, who was running in eighth place, stated that Colapinto does not deserve to be in Formula One and called for a race ban for the Alpine driver due to his reckless driving that caused the incident.
Colapinto's actions not only affected Norris's title hopes but also resulted in a costly crash for his own team, Alpine. The stewards imposed a 10-second penalty on Colapinto, but since he had already retired, he will face a grid drop in the next race. Norris remains mathematically in contention for the championship, but with eight races left, his chances appear slim.
theguardian.comSat 26 Sep · 16:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer saw something from Kimi Antonelli for the very ‘first time’ during Baku comeback driveDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer observed Kimi Antonelli's cautious driving style for the first time, as he finished in fifth place after a challenging race. Antonelli, who crashed out of qualifying, had to adopt a more measured approach due to the risks posed by the circuit's barriers, which affected his ability to move up the field quickly.
Despite not replicating his previous form from Monza, where he secured a victory, Antonelli's maturity was highlighted by Palmer. After the race, Antonelli expressed disappointment with his performance, citing issues with tyre pace and damage to his car. He will aim to improve at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where Mercedes is expected to introduce significant upgrades.
f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 15:30 UTC
via CrashGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen land Ferrari dig in cooldown room after Azerbaijan GPGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen shared their thoughts on Ferrari's performance after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting the team's lack of competitiveness. Russell secured his third victory of the season, narrowly beating Verstappen, while Ferrari's drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, finished fourth and sixth respectively, unable to challenge for the podium.
In the cooldown room, Russell noted that Ferrari's pace was not impressive, with Verstappen agreeing that they were slow on the straights. Despite Leclerc's strong qualifying position, he lost ground early in the race and could not keep up with the frontrunners. Russell and Verstappen dominated the race, finishing well ahead of the rest of the field.
CrashSat 26 Sep · 14:53 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer mocks Isack Hadjar for being ‘the best guy in the world’ vs Max Verstappen in BakuDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer mocked Isack Hadjar for being overly compliant with Max Verstappen, suggesting he should have fought harder for position. Both Red Bull drivers ended up on the podium, marking their first joint podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, with Hadjar praised for his pace after returning from injury.
Palmer highlighted Hadjar's reluctance to challenge Verstappen during the race, questioning whether the Red Bull team was hesitant to ask Verstappen to concede his position. Despite Palmer's criticism, both drivers performed well, with Verstappen narrowly missing out on victory after two safety car periods.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen wins fan vote after narrowly missing Baku victoryMax Verstappen was voted Driver of the Day after a thrilling performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he narrowly missed victory, finishing just 0.196 seconds behind George Russell. Despite starting from eighth position, Verstappen showcased his skill and determination, engaging in a fierce battle with Russell in the race's closing stages.
This marks the sixth time Verstappen has earned this accolade in 2026, reflecting his consistent performance throughout the season. The voting results showed strong support for other drivers as well, with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, and George Russell also receiving notable percentages of the votes.
Formula1.comSat 26 Sep · 13:34 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell seals excellent weekend with Azerbaijani victoryGeorge Russell dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from the start to secure victory on 26 September 2026. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in second place, just 0.1 seconds off the pace, while Isack Hadjar, making his return to Formula 1, completed the podium in third. Russell's performance was marked by consistent pace and strategic tyre management, allowing him to maintain a significant lead throughout the race.
The race saw several incidents, including retirements from Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly. Oscar Piastri, who initially held second place, struggled with tyre issues and ultimately dropped to 15th after a lockup. The event featured two safety car periods, which added to the drama, but Russell's late restart allowed him to fend off Verstappen's challenge, securing a well-deserved win.f1technical.netSat 26 Sep · 12:54 UTC
via AutosportGeorge Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of VerstappenGeorge Russell secured a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading from pole position to the chequered flag. The Mercedes driver managed to fend off Max Verstappen, despite the challenges posed by two safety cars during the race.
Autosport+ 1 moreSat 26 Sep · 12:49 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell's lead erased by safety car in BakuGeorge Russell's advantage during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was nullified when a safety car was deployed. The incident added to the drama of the race, which also saw Franco Colapinto involved in a significant incident for Alpine.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 12:09 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell handed heavy backing in major Azerbaijan victory chanceGeorge Russell has emerged as the leading contender to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after securing pole position with a significant margin of eight-tenths of a second. In a recent poll, he garnered 39.3% of the votes from RacingNews365 readers, indicating strong support for his chances in the race.
Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the championship, is positioned second in the poll with 16.4% of the votes, despite starting from 16th on the grid. Other notable drivers include Max Verstappen with 11.6%, Charles Leclerc with 9.3%, and Lewis Hamilton with 5.6%. The poll reflects the competitive landscape ahead of the race, with various drivers facing challenges based on their qualifying positions.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc swings 'right hook' claim after huge George Russell defeatCharles Leclerc expressed disappointment after qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he finished second, significantly behind pole-sitter George Russell. Leclerc's lap time of 1:43.363 left him over eight tenths of a second adrift of Russell, who secured pole with a time of 1:42.526.
Despite feeling that his Ferrari was performing better than earlier in the weekend, Leclerc acknowledged the substantial gap to Russell. He highlighted the challenges of finding the right tyre window and noted that both Ferrari and McLaren struggled during practice sessions. Leclerc identified areas for improvement, particularly in Sector 2, where Russell excelled.RacingNews365Sat 26 Sep · 09:00 UTC