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Russell's Baku Brilliance: Too Little, Too Late?
28 Sep
Summary
- George Russell secured a dominant pole-to-flag victory in Azerbaijan.
- He closed the points deficit to teammate Kimi Antonelli by 15 points.
- Russell feels his season performance has improved significantly post-summer break.
George Russell demonstrated impressive form at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing a dominant pole-to-flag victory for Mercedes. This marked his eighth career win and first career grand slam, leading every lap from pole position and setting the fastest lap. The win allowed Russell to gain ground on his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, reducing the championship deficit from 81 to 66 points.
Despite the recent success, Russell acknowledges the substantial points gap with only eight rounds remaining. He candidly expressed that his performance earlier in 2026 was not strong enough to be considered a title contender. However, since the summer break, improvements made by Mercedes are now yielding results, making him feel significantly more competitive.
Antonelli, who started 16th due to a qualifying incident, recovered to fifth place, showcasing a mature drive. Russell acknowledged Antonelli's nearly flawless season, noting that his teammate's mistake in qualifying was likely his first significant error in a proper session, yet he still managed a strong points finish.
