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Russell holds off Verstappen for narrow Baku victory
The Mercedes driver won by 0.196 seconds after two safety car phases, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth.
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Event
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen
George Russell held off Max Verstappen by 0.196 seconds to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Mercedes. Isack Hadjar finished third, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli came fifth after starting 16th.
2 published stories · george-russell · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku for Mercedes, finishing 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Isack Hadjar was third. Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, finished fifth after starting 16th. The supplied report says his lead over Russell narrowed by 15 points to 66 after 15 rounds. Russell’s win was his eighth career victory, third of the season and first since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.
event-brief
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen
George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku for Mercedes, finishing 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Isack Hadjar was third. Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, finished fifth after starting 16th. The supplied report says his lead over Russell narrowed by 15 p
Reporting trail
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/26/russell-edges-out-verstappen-to-win-in-baku-antonelli-settles-for-fifth | published 2026-09-26T14:17:43.000Z | primary sourceAl Jazeera Global News | Full race account, finishing margin, podium, Antonelli’s result and standings claim.Event digest | Concise summary of the race outcome and Antonelli’s starting position.Retrieved same-event context (Sky Sports) | Corroborates the win, close finish and Antonelli’s fifth-place recovery.Background cards | Context for Antonelli’s earlier Monza win from 19th.Sky Sports | https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/13591978/azerbaijan-gp-george-russell-holds-off-max-verstappen-for-victory-in-thrilling-baku-finale-as-kimi-antonelli-recovers-to-fifth | published Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:45:00 BST | primary sourceSky Sports source | Reports the race result, finish order, Safety Cars and championship gap.Event digest | Concise summary of Russell’s win and key finishers.Retrieved historical context | Corroborates the result and points gap but gives a conflicting margin and notes conflicting material.Background cards | Provide separate Monza context; not evidence about the Azerbaijan race.
Fact cards
entity brief
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen: key people and institutions
Key entities: George Russell, Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes.
faq brief
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen: key questions
Who won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix? George Russell won for Mercedes. How close was the finish? Russell finished 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Where did Kimi Antonelli finish? Fifth, after starting 16th. What happened to Antonelli’s championship lead? The report says it fe
source brief
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen: reporting sources
Al Jazeera Global News | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/9/26/russell-edges-out-verstappen-to-win-in-baku-antonelli-settles-for-fifth | published 2026-09-26T14:17:43.000Z | primary source | Al Jazeera Global News | Full race account, finishing margin, podium, Antonelli’s re
timeline brief
George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after close finish with Max Verstappen: timeline
Friday qualifying: Antonelli crashed and started the race 16th. Race day: Two safety car periods brought Verstappen, who started eighth, close to Russell. 2026-09-26: Russell beat Verstappen by 0.196 seconds in Baku; Hadjar finished third and Antonelli fifth.
Timeline
Friday qualifying
Antonelli crashed and started the race 16th.
Race day
Two safety car periods brought Verstappen, who started eighth, close to Russell.
2026-09-26
Russell beat Verstappen by 0.196 seconds in Baku; Hadjar finished third and Antonelli fifth.
FAQ
Who won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
George Russell won for Mercedes.
How close was the finish?
Russell finished 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.
Where did Kimi Antonelli finish?
Fifth, after starting 16th.
What happened to Antonelli’s championship lead?
The report says it fell by 15 points to 66 after 15 rounds.
Who completed the podium?
Isack Hadjar finished third.
Who finished on the podium?
Russell, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
How did Kimi Antonelli finish?
He recovered from 16th to finish fifth.
What is the reported championship gap between Antonelli and Russell?
Russell is 66 points behind Antonelli.