Mercedes driver George Russell has won the 10th anniversary Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It was a dominant weekend for the British driver, who secured the first Grand Slam of his Formula 1 career.
Russell set the fastest time in both practice sessions in Baku and took pole position in Friday’s qualifying. Starting from first on the grid, the Mercedes driver led every lap and also set the fastest lap of the race.
This was Russell’s first victory in Baku, his third win of the current season and the eighth of his Formula 1 career.
Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finished second and third respectively. It was the first time since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix that both Red Bull drivers had finished on the podium.
As has become customary, the race in Baku was full of incidents. McLaren had the most difficult afternoon of the leading teams.
On lap 36, Alpine driver Franco Colapinto locked up at Turn 1 and collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly. The impact sent Gasly’s car into Lando Norris’ McLaren as the British driver was passing at the time. Norris then crashed into the wall. All three drivers were forced to retire from the race as a result of the incident.
The safety car was deployed following the crash. After the restart, McLaren’s other driver Oscar Piastri locked up while battling Isack Hadjar at Turn 1 and ran off the track. The Australian rejoined in 15th place while fighting for third.
In the closing laps, attention turned to the battle for the lead between Russell and Verstappen. From around lap 40, the Red Bull driver increased the pressure on the race leader, with the gap between them shrinking to a minimum.
Russell, however, held on to his position and crossed the finish line just 0.196 seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who had a difficult qualifying session, recovered positions during the race to finish fifth.