George Russell finally ended his victory drought in dramatic fashion. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver had to fight until the final metres to secure the win, following two Safety Car periods and an incident that befell Valtteri Bottas on the last lap. But the pressure never rattled him. Russell was flawless all weekend, and the result was thoroughly deserved: a victory that could signal Mercedes' resurgence in the 2026 season.
For Mercedes, Baku is like a second home. The street circuit's demands for strong engine power, smart energy management, and aerodynamic efficiency played right into the hands of the W17. On the long straights, the Mercedes power unit's advantage was clear, while the traction out of the tight corners around the castle made the Silver Arrow nimble. The second sector became Russell's playground, where he consistently built a gap over Max Verstappen. This win was not just luck; it was the product of a mature technical package and near-perfect execution.
Of course, the victory in Azerbaijan was also down to Russell's brilliance. The British driver seems to have found his comfort zone with the 2026 car, something that had been missing early in the season. His smooth yet aggressive driving style now dovetails with the W17's characteristics. However, it is still too early to call this a turning point. Baku has a unique character that may not be repeated elsewhere. What is certain is that Russell has cut 15 points from Andrea Kimi Antonelli's championship lead, and that could be a crucial momentum shift in the title race.
On the other side, Andrea Kimi Antonelli had to settle for a subpar result. A qualifying mistake forced him to start from an unfavourable position. Although he recovered, his race pace was not as strong as in Monza. His car was not set up for the race, and low tyre degradation made overtaking nearly impossible. Antonelli now shifts his focus to Malaysia, where he is determined to bounce back and return to winning ways.
Meanwhile, Red Bull showed signs of revival. Verstappen and his teammate finished on the podium, marking the return of two Milton Keynes cars to the top. The Baku circuit indeed suits the RB22's characteristics, especially with its combination of corners that allow for easier balance finding. However, Verstappen still has to wait for a win, and the pressure from Mercedes will only intensify in the upcoming races.
Ferrari, on the other hand, sank deeper. Without points in Baku, they extended a negative streak that has now lasted two months. The Maranello team seems to have lost its development direction, with no signs of improvement in the near future. If they do not find a solution soon, Ferrari risks falling far behind in the constructors' championship.
With this result, Mercedes grows in confidence ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix. A major upgrade package will be introduced, followed by an updated power unit. If everything goes to plan, Mercedes' supremacy could become frightening again. But as Russell said, “We must stay grounded. This win is incredible, but the real challenge has just begun.”
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