Russell narrows championship gap with dominant win in Baku

George Russell arrived in Baku feeling liberated. After a string of defeats against Kimi Antonelli, he had given up on his championship dream, but that very fact seemed to spur him on at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: he secured pole position for the street race by a margin of more than eight-tenths of a second.

Although Russell started on the weaker medium tires, he pulled away at the start and built a ten-second lead over the rest of the field. Because tire wear is minimal in Baku, even the drivers who started on soft tires were able to complete a long first stint.

Consequently, many of them were waiting for a safety car to make a more advantageous pit stop. On lap 31, the moment arrived: Alex Albon crashed in Turn 6, bringing Bernd Mayländer out onto the track. Russell was among those who seized the opportunity and pitted. The Mercedes crew sent him back out on new soft tires in a time of 2.33 seconds, securing their second consecutive DHL Fastest Pit Stop. Russell remained in the lead and held on to win by just 0.196 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.

With Kimi Antonelli finishing further back in a modest fifth, Russell closed the points gap in the world championship standings for the first time since Silverstone. That gives him confidence: "I never lost that faith in myself, even during tough moments. It wasn't like I suddenly forgot how to drive. I knew I'd be able to find it again. I feel I can fight for victory week in and week out now."