George Russell wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix by just over one tenth of a second from Max Verstappen after rival’s late surge

George Russell fended off a late challenge from Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by just over a tenth of a second.

In a dash to the chequered flag, the Mercedes driver held off the challenge of his Red Bull rival to emerge victorious in Baku.

Russell had dominated the first part of the race before two safety cars in quick succession saw Verstappen, who had started in eighth on the grid, close the gap to the Brit with 11 laps to go.

However, Russell held on to win by 0.196 seconds to cut the championship lead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli – who recovered from 16th on the grid to finish fifth – to 66 points. That was the closest green-flag finish since the 2002 United States Grand Prix.

‘It’s amazing to be back on the top step of the podium. I do want to say a big thanks to my team because they’ve continued to believe in me through a tough moment, helped me come through it,’ Russell said.

‘I’m really proud to have had this weekend.’

Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar, who had missed the previous three races due to a broken wrist, finished third.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth with his team-mate Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth.

Racing Bulls Arvid Lindblad, who earlier tipped his own team-mate Liam Lawson, finished seventh with Haas duo Esteban Ocon (eighth) and Oliver Bearman (ninth) and Williams’ Carlos Sainz (10th) rounded out the top 10.

What’s next?

F1 returns next weekend in Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with Sepang playing host to what will be known as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.