# Russell Holds Off Verstappen in Baku GP

> George Russell wins Azerbaijan GP by 0.196s after Safety Car drama.
- Title: Russell Holds Off Verstappen in Baku GP · Sky Sports
- Summary: George Russell wins Azerbaijan GP by 0.196s after Safety Car drama. George Russell claims Azerbaijan GP victory by 0.196s over Max Verstappen after Safety…
- Keywords: george russell, max verstappen, kimi antonelli, azerbaijan gp, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, baku, safety car, championship, points, Russell
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13591978/azerbaijan-gp-george-russell-holds-off-max-verstappen-for-victory-in-thrilling-baku-finale-as-kimi-antonelli-recovers-to-fifth
- Published: 2026-09-26T13:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: george russell, max verstappen, kimi antonelli, azerbaijan gp, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, baku, f1, safety car, championship, points
## Race Result
George Russell claims lights-to-flag victory for Mercedes after holding off Max Verstappen by 0.196s in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
## Safety Car Impact
Two Safety Car periods erased Russell's 11-second lead, forcing him to defend against Verstappen in the closing laps.
## Kimi Antonelli's Recovery
Kimi Antonelli fought back from 16th on the grid to finish fifth after a qualifying crash, reducing Russell's championship deficit to 66 points.
## Team Performance
Mercedes gained a constructors' title lead of 160 points over Ferrari after Russell's win.
## Lando Norris Incident
Lando Norris crashed out after Alpine team-mate Franco Colapinto hit him during a restart following Williams' Alex Albon crash.
## Colapinto Apology
Colapinto apologized for his crash, calling it a 'big mistake', while Norris demanded FIA bans for such incidents.
## Russell's Statement
Russell said the Safety Car restart with Verstappen behind made it 'not going to be easy' and he drove 'incredibly' at the end.

> The first half of the race felt pretty plain-sailing, getting the gap. The Safety Car restart with Max behind, I thought 'this is not going to be easy' and he drove incredibly at the end of the race.
## Antonelli's Struggle
Antonelli dropped from 16th on the grid to fifth after a qualifying crash, missing half of FP2 and struggling with performance.
## Antonelli's Quote
Antonelli called the weekend his 'worst of the year' and said he was 'not there, wasn't really present' after qualifying.

> It's exciting. George has done an incredible weekend, he's driven incredibly. He had a lot of confidence. And this weekend was my worst of the year by far in terms of performance. I wasn't there, I wasn't really present, especially with what happened so early on.
## Next Race
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held in Malaysia due to Middle East conflict, giving Antonelli an immediate chance to return to form.
## Championship Standings
Russell now has eight career wins, level with Antonelli after the Italian moved ahead of him in Madrid.
## Team Impact
Mercedes moved 160 points clear of Ferrari in constructors' standings after Russell's win.
## Race Outcome
Russell's win reduces his championship gap to Antonelli to 66 points with eight rounds remaining.
## Next Steps
Antonelli aims to return to form at the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, his next race after this weekend.
## Key takeaway

George Russell claims Azerbaijan GP victory by 0.196s over Max Verstappen after Safety Car disruptions, reducing championship gap to Kimi Antonelli to 66 points.