Story perspectives

George Russell wins from pole, cuts Antonelli’s lead

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 10:20 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Russell Wins GP

George Russell won the Grand Prix from pole, cutting Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead.
Russell secured pole with a 1:42.526 lap, 0.837 seconds faster than Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli crashed in Turn 1 qualifying, starting 16th but finished fifth.
Two safety-car periods occurred after crashes involving Alex Albon and a multi-car restart incident.

Summary

Hadjar Earns Podium

George Russell will serve a grid penalty for a power unit at the next race.
Red Bull confirmed Isack Hadjar's contract extension this week, guaranteeing his seat beyond 2026.
George Russell said his aim is to win every race, focusing on himself.
The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be the first test of Russell’s new engine.
Isack Hadjar earned a podium after a broken wrist, his first full-season finish.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 Lewis Hamilton secured his first World Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix on 2 November by a single point, in a season with new rules like the traction-control ban and a five-year engine freeze. The 2024 grid penalty for George Russell’s power-unit change and Red Bull’s extension for Isack Hadjar show the same regulatory pressure and driver-stability strategy that guided teams after Hamilton’s 2008 title.

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Russell Wins GP

George Russell won the Grand Prix from pole, cutting Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead.
Russell secured pole with a 1:42.526 lap, 0.837 seconds faster than Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli crashed in Turn 1 qualifying, starting 16th but finished fifth.
Two safety-car periods occurred after crashes involving Alex Albon and a multi-car restart incident.

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