George Russell won a tense Azerbaijan Grand Prix after resisting a late challenge from Max Verstappen, securing his first victory since Austria in June. The Mercedes driver had controlled the early stages, but two safety-car periods brought Verstappen within striking distance and created an 11-lap battle to the finish.

Verstappen had fought back from eighth on the grid to second, while McLaren’s promising race fell apart after Oscar Piastri lost ground and Lando Norris retired in a crash involving both Alpines. Russell’s advantage was reduced to just 0.196 seconds at the chequered flag after he lost electrical power on the final lap; team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s fifth place also cut his championship deficit to Russell to 66 points.