Max Verstappen finished second at the Grand Prix of Azerbeidzjan on September 26, 2026, benefiting from a late safety car deployed after a heavy crash involving Williams driver Alexander Albon. George Russell claimed victory on the Baku street circuit for Mercedes, maintaining control of the race despite early wall contact and late pressure from the field.
Albon Crash Triggers Late Safety Car in Baku
Albon walked away from the vehicle unassisted, though marshals and medical crews treated the incident as a major impact. Kimi Antonelli immediately pitted for soft tires following the accident.
Red Bull Strategy and Internal Battles
Max Verstappen moved up through the field after starting on medium tires, engaging in tactical battles with teammate Isack Hadjar and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Red Bull Racing instructed Hadjar to let Verstappen pass into third place during the middle stages of the race, following radio exchanges where Hadjar questioned Verstappen’s pace on aging mediums. Pirelli had predicted single-stop strategies ahead of the weekend, with teams utilizing a mix of medium and soft compound tires across the grid.
Ferrari and McLaren Contend with Street Circuit Challenges
Charles Leclerc dropped from his second-place grid start to finish outside the podium fight, continuing a difficult history at the Baku street circuit where he has secured four pole positions without converting them into a race victory. McLaren’s Lando Norris lost significant time after locking up his front-left tire at turn 1 midway through the event, dropping behind Antonelli and later yielding position to Lewis Hamilton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Grand Prix of Azerbeidzjan in 2026?
George Russell won the race for Mercedes, with Max Verstappen finishing second.
What caused the safety car during the race?
Alexander Albon crashed his Williams car at turn 6 with 17 laps remaining, requiring a safety car period.
What tire strategy did Max Verstappen use?
Verstappen started on medium compound tires and later switched to a fresh set of mediums during the late safety car period.
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