Azerbaijan GP 2026: Reported fallout after Baku clash

Reports from BBC Sport and Autosport say George Russell won in Baku, while Franco Colapinto’s late collision drew scrutiny and further fallout.

BBC Sport reported that George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after holding off Max Verstappen late on, with two late safety car periods affecting the closing laps. Russell arrived in Baku second in the 2026 drivers' championship on 236 points, while Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli led the standings on 320.

Antonelli’s weekend had already turned before the race. BBC Sport reported that the Mercedes driver crashed in qualifying and was set to start 16th, with Antonelli saying he was angry about the error. The Italian was in his second Formula 1 season and had recorded 33 entries, five wins, five poles and 10 podiums.

Autosport reported that Franco Colapinto triggered a late-race collision that cost Alpine a possible double points finish, and also reported that Lando Norris later apologised after calling for a race ban. Colapinto was 12th in the championship on 27 points at that stage of the season.