George Russell proved that a dominant win doesn't always mean a big margin. In the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver led from lights to flag, but Red Bull's Max Verstappen nearly stole the victory, finishing just 0.196 seconds behind. That made it the 11th-closest finish in Formula 1 history, enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the chequered flag.
Russell was impressive over 51 laps at the Baku City Circuit. However, two late safety car periods erased his lead. Verstappen, known for his aggression, used the opportunity to close in. Though he had to settle for second, the four-time champion's performance showed that pressure never lets up until the finish line.
For Russell, this win proves his quality as a top driver. Mercedes, who struggled early in the season, seem to have found the right formula. But let's see: is this the start of their resurgence? Meanwhile, Red Bull and Max Verstappen remain a constant threat, as shown in Baku.
The close finish in Baku reminds us of similar moments in the past. Here are the 10 closest finishes in F1 history, some of which you might have forgotten.
10. Austria 2002: Schumacher and Barrichello (0.182s)
A controversial race. Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher dominated for Ferrari, with Barrichello on course for his first win of the season. But out of the final corner, Barrichello slowed and let Schumacher pass. The team orders caused outrage, fines, and a ban on team orders the following season.
9. Australia 2023: Verstappen and Hamilton (0.179s)
A chaotic race with three red flags. A safety car on the final lap allowed Verstappen to cruise to victory, with Lewis Hamilton just 0.179s behind. The race ended under neutralization, leaving a sense of unfinished business.
8. Canada 2000: Schumacher and Barrichello (0.174s)
Back to the early 2000s Ferrari era. A wet race in Montreal, Schumacher led, but Barrichello was close. Team orders weren't as controversial as in 2002, but the result was the same: Schumacher won by a whisker.
This list shows that in F1, every fraction of a second counts. Russell and Verstappen have just added a new chapter to the history of close finishes, and fans can't wait for the next race.
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George Russell raih Grand Slam pertama di F1 usai dominasi GP Baku. Jarak dengan Antonelli terpangkas, persaingan gelar memanas.
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