The final classification for the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been confirmed after all post-race penalties were applied, with George Russell claiming a commanding victory for Mercedes in Baku.
Russell controlled the race from the opening lights to the chequered flag, securing his first Grand Prix victory since June. However, his path to the top step was far from straightforward, as Max Verstappen applied intense pressure during the closing stages.
Following two Safety Car periods, Verstappen remained within striking distance of Russell over the final 15 laps. The Red Bull driver eventually crossed the line just 0.196 seconds behind the Mercedes star, producing the closest F1 race finish since the 1986 Spanish Grand Prix.
Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third, giving Red Bull a memorable double podium. The result marked the team’s first double podium since the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix and ended a 57-race wait for the achievement.
McLaren, meanwhile, endured a difficult afternoon and left Baku without scoring a point. Lando Norris was eliminated after becoming involved in a collision triggered by Franco Colapinto at the first Safety Car restart. Oscar Piastri also suffered a costly mistake late in the race, locking up and running into the runoff area with around ten laps remaining. He eventually finished 14th.
Kimi Antonelli produced an impressive recovery drive after starting 16th on the grid. The Mercedes youngster climbed through the field to finish fifth and collect 10 valuable championship points. He finished between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth and Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
Only one race-related penalty was issued after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Colapinto was handed a 10-second penalty for causing the collision that eliminated Norris and Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly. Because Colapinto also retired from the race, the penalty will instead be converted into a five-place grid drop at the next round in Malaysia.
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Final Results
Pos
Driver
Team
Gap
1
George Russell
Mercedes
Winner
2
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
+0.196s
3
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
+10.704s
4
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
+14.136s
5
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
+14.512s
6
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
+22.382s
7
Arvid Lindblad
Racing Bulls
+31.159s
8
Esteban Ocon
Haas
+31.189s
9
Oliver Bearman
Haas
+31.929s
10
Carlos Sainz
Williams
+32.416s
11
Nico Hulkenberg
Audi
+33.231s
12
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
+34.013s
13
Gabriel Bortoleto
Audi
+34.230s
14
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
+36.401s
15
Sergio Perez
Cadillac
+41.400s
16
Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac
DNF
NC
Franco Colapinto*
Alpine
DNF
NC
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
DNF
NC
Lando Norris
McLaren
DNF
NC
Alex Albon
Williams
DNF
NC
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
DNF
NC
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
DNF
*Colapinto received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, converted into a five-place grid penalty for the following race because he retired.
