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F1 Azerbaijan GP: Russell fends off Verstappen for victory; Colapinto takes out Gasly and Norris
Autosport • • general
Key Points:
- Mercedes driver George Russell secured a commanding pole-to-flag victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, overcoming two safety car interruptions to hold off Max Verstappen and claim his third win of the season.
- Russell dominated qualifying with an eight-tenths margin and managed race strategy effectively on the low-degradation street circuit, maintaining the lead despite mid-race chaos and restarts.
- The race featured multiple incidents including crashes involving Alex Albon, Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Lando Norris, resulting in two safety car periods and significant position changes.
- Red Bull's Isack Hadjar made a strong comeback from injury to finish third, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli completed the top five, with Antonelli recovering from a qualifying crash.
- Russell reduced his championship deficit to teammate Antonelli to 66 points, with the next race scheduled for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
