'Mr Saturday' Russell 'comes through other side after real tough period'

George Russell's victory in Azerbaijan marked his third win of the 2026 Formula 1 season, a triumph that felt like vindication for the Mercedes driver. It signaled that he had come through a tough period and was back to his best. This win came after holding off Red Bull's Max Verstappen in one of the closest finishes in history.

Russell's win was particularly significant as it was his first since the end of June - seven races ago. During this time, his teammate Kimi Antonelli had won three races, dramatically altering the championship standings. Antonelli now leads the championship with a significant points lead over Russell.

However, Russell's win has provided a glimmer of hope for the Briton. After Antonelli's fifth-place finish in the race, the points gap between them has narrowed to 66 points. While this is still a large gap, given the 25-point advantage a win provides, it is a significant improvement from the 81-point margin that existed before the race in Baku.

Russell remains focused on his own performance and credits his team for their efforts in overcoming the season's challenges. His victory in Azerbaijan, coupled with Antonelli's underwhelming performance, suggests a potential turnaround for Russell. However, the road ahead remains challenging with seven to eight races still to come.