Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Russell wins despite late Verstappen challenge – News Room Guyana

Mercedes’ George Russell held off a late challenge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to win an Azerbaijan Grand Prix enlivened late on by two safety car periods.

Russell dominated the first part of the race while Verstappen was climbing up from eighth place on the grid before becoming stuck behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

But two safety cars in quick succession put the Red Bull on Russell’s tail for an 11-lap chase to the flag.

Russell could never break free of Verstappen but the four-time world champion was not quite able to get close enough to try an overtaking move.

After an issue with energy deployment, Russell was scared Verstappen would pass him on the run to the line, but held on to win by just under 0.2 seconds.

Russell’s victory meant he cut the championship lead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli – who recovered from 16th on the grid to finish fifth – to 66 points.

“It’s amazing to be back on the top step of the podium. I do want to say a big thanks to my team because they’ve continued to believe in me through a tough moment, helped me come through it,” the Briton said.

“I’m really proud to have had this weekend.”

Behind the top two, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar drove a strong race to the final podium position on his return after missing three races with a broken wrist.

The key stories of an initially soporific and then dramatic and tense grand prix were:

• Russell’s accomplished drive to his first win since the Austrian Grand Prix in June
• Verstappen’s superb fightback from a difficult qualifying
  Mid-race chaos with a first safety car triggering a second almost immediately, as so often happens
• McLaren’s race unravelling after a promising start (BBC)

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE