Russell snatches Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Verstappen chased Russell to the finish line and got close enough on the final lap to launch a last-ditch attack at turn fifteen, but the Briton managed to maintain the lead and hold off the Dutchman.

This was Russell's first win on the fast and difficult streets of Baku, his first victory since the Austrian Grand Prix in June, and the eighth of his career. He also narrowed the gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli, the world drivers' championship leader, to 66 points.

The 28-year-old said, "It's great to be back on the top step of the podium, so I would like to express my deep thanks to the team for helping me overcome a difficult period."

He added: "The first half of the race seemed quite smooth, as I managed to extend the gap, but after the safety car came out, I saw Max behind me and realized it wouldn't be easy."

He continued, "When the yellow flag was raised, I lifted my foot off the accelerator, and when I went back to accelerate, there was no power from the turbocharger, and Max almost snatched the win from me at the finish line."

As for Verstappen, who drove a remarkable race, he handled the matter calmly, saying: "We had a good race... On the last lap, George lost some power, and that's why I was able to catch up to him significantly. The gap became small, but it wasn't enough."

Hadjar proud of his race

Frenchman Isack Hadjar, the other Red Bull driver, finished third, while Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc of Ferrari came in fourth.

The Algerian-born driver said, "It has been a very long six weeks since I was injured, but it seemed to me that this was the right time to return. I felt strong, and this is my first real podium finish based on my competitive speed alone, so I am very happy."

As for Antonelli, who was 81 points ahead of Russell before the race but started from 16th place after a crash in qualifying, he managed to move through the field to finish the race in fifth.

The race witnessed two notable accidents midway through.

On the 35th lap, Thai driver Alex Albon crashed his Williams into the wall, which necessitated the deployment of the safety car and bunched the field back together.

When the race resumed, Argentine Franco Colapinto tried to move up from the inside but did not find enough space when entering the next turn.

His locked wheels and the car sliding sideways pushed his Alpine teammate, Frenchman Pierre Gasly, toward Briton Lando Norris (McLaren), with all three sliding off the track together.

The two drivers of the struggling French team were on their way to achieving top-ten finishes.

Gasly said over the team radio: "Oh my God, oh my God. I can't believe it," before adding a profanity. "So many points lost."

New Zealander Liam Lawson, the Racing Bulls driver, was right behind the accident.