F1 Azerbaijan GP: Russell fends off Verstappen for victory; Colapinto takes out Gasly and Norris

Mercedes driver George Russell has taken a dominant pole-to-flag victory at Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, overcoming two safety cars to beat Max Verstappen and clinch his third grand prix win of 2026.

Russell took pole by a massive eight tenths on Friday and confirmed Mercedes' dominance in race trim. The Briton led either side of a pair of mid-race safety cars to snare his first win since June's Austrian Grand Prix, while team-mate Kimi Antonelli could only manage fifth.

At the start Russell made a good getaway to defend his lead on the short burst towards Turn 1, with Piastri picking off second-starting Charles Leclerc.

Russell started on medium tyres with his nearest rivals on softs, but tyre degradation wasn't much of a factor on the low-impact street circuit, reducing race strategy to a simple one-stopper at the most opportune moment.