Standings 2026 After The Azerbaijan Grand Prix

George Russell survived two safety-car interruptions and a late surge from Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. After taking pole on Friday by the season’s biggest margin, Russell led over 10 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren in the opening stint. But a safety car triggered by Alexander Albon’s crash on lap 31 wiped out the gap, and a second neutralization followed when Franco Colapinto crashed into Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris shortly after. Verstappen finished second, closing from eighth, with Russell winning by one-tenth of a second—the closest margin since 2002. Russell completed a first career Grand Slam: pole, fastest lap and victory. Isack Hadjar took third after Piastri lost control defending on lap 40, while Charles Leclerc was fourth. Russell’s points moved to 236, reducing his deficit to teammate and title favorite Kimi Antonelli to 66, with Norris’ DNF keeping him 116 behind.