George Russell believes he can contend for victory at every remaining race of the season after delivering what he described as the most dominant weekend of his career at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver completed a rare “grand slam” in Baku on Saturday, starting from pole position, leading every lap, setting the fastest lap and taking the win. The result marked a resounding return to form for the Briton, who has spent much of the season in the shadow of his 20-year-old teammate and championship leader, Kimi Antonelli.
A Statement Drive Under Pressure
Russell held off a charging Max Verstappen through much of the race’s closing stages to secure the victory, a performance made more impressive by the demanding nature of the Baku street circuit, a layout that rewards confidence but is notorious for catching drivers out.
“I think I never lost that faith in myself,” Russell said. “Even through the tough moments I knew there was a reason why I was off the pace.”
The win stands in stark contrast to his earlier struggles this season, during which Antonelli surged ahead with eight victories to Russell’s three. Russell credited work done over the sport’s summer break to adapt his driving style to the 2026 cars as the key to his resurgence.
Momentum Since the Summer Break
“It’s been four races since the break. I’ve been on the front row in three of them, three podiums from the four races,” he said. “I feel I can fight for victory week-in, week-out now.”
Antonelli, by contrast, endured what he called his worst weekend of the season. The Italian crashed out of qualifying and started 16th before recovering to finish fifth, allowing Russell to trim the championship gap at the top of the standings from 81 points to 66.
Eyes on Wins, Not the Title
Despite the momentum, Russell insisted his focus remains on race victories rather than the championship battle.
“If the season were to have started today, or since the summer break, I feel very much I would have been able to fight,” he added. “Now I’ve got this big deficit. So I’m not chasing that. I’m chasing to win every race, and what will be, will be.”
Russell’s Baku display suggests the title race may yet tighten in the closing stretch of the season, with the Briton signalling he intends to make the most of every remaining opportunity.
