F1 Full Results | George Russell wins the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The Briton lined up on Pole Position ahead of the 51-lap race, and has converted that into important points in the F1 standings.

After a clean start to the Baku race, Russell got away as expected, building a five second gap to Oscar Piastri within the opening 10 laps. The Aussie made an impressive move on Charles Leclerc on the opening corner, but soon had a charging Max Verstappen for close company.

Overtaking the Aussie proved difficult for the Red Bull driver, who hovered in and out of overtake mode behind Piastri for some time. Verstappen then came under pressure from Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, who impressed on his return from a three-race hiatus due to a wrist injury.

Hadjar pleaded over team radio on Lap 20: "Tell him to keep pushing," before being told the Dutchman was struggling on his medium tyres. Seven laps later, Hadjar was told he could battle his teammate as long as he "kept it clean," with Verstappen having to defend a move at Turn 1 on Lap 27.

On Lap 31, the Safety Car was out. Alex Albon crashing into the barrier at Turn 5 saw all the drivers pit, but the Top 10 order remain unchanged. A struggling Verstappen moved onto the soft tyres, as did leader Russell, while those around him put on the mediums, the less effective tyre.

As for championship leader Antonelli, the Italian could not quite recreate his Monza heroics in Baku. After a sluggish start from P16, even losing a place on the opening lap, it was not until Lap 17 when the 20-year-old moved into the points positions. After a huge lock up for Norris, the Italian moved up to P8, and onto the soft tyres, prior to the Safety Car restart.

And it was a chaotic restart, Franco Colapinto locking up after a massive lunge into Turn 1, taking out teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Norris in the process. Thankfully all drivers escaped unscathed, before a tense finale to the race followed.

A cleaner restart this time around, although Piastri, having defended P3 against Hadjar, was suddenly out of the points after a big lock up at Turn 1 on Lap 40. Verstappen chased Russell all the way to the chequered flag, but ultimately to no avail, while teammate Isack Hadjar defended well against Leclerc for P3.

Recovering well to overtake Hamilton in the closing stages, Antonelli reported floor damage as he attempted to chase down Leclerc, but it was a P5 finish behind the Monegasque for F1's championship leader.