F1: updated standings after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and date of next race

What happened: NIO British domains in Baku

The Mercedes driver started on pole this Saturday (26) and led from winger to winger , winning his most important victory so far in the season 2026 of Formula 1. With the result, the Briton now adds 236 points and reduces to 66 the difference that separates him from Andrea Kimi Antonelli, leader of the World Drivers with 302 points.

Russell's race was flawless: no mistakes on the start, no scares at the pit stop and without giving way to Max Verstappen who finished second with Red Bull.

Leader's reaction: Antonelli suffers but scores

If Russell shone, Antonelli had a Saturday to forget at least until the chequered flag. The Italian crashed in qualifying and started only 16th. Even so, he starred a solid recovery and crossed the finish line fifth, gaining 11 positions.

The situation exposes a scenario that seemed unlikely at the start of the season: Mercedes has two drivers separated by 66 points in the title fight, and both are clearly ahead of their competitors.

Updated ranking of the World Drivers

• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 30 302 points
• I 'm not going anywhere .
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 199 199 points
• Lando Norris (McLaren) is up by 186 points.
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 179 179 points
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 163 163 points
• I 'm not going to do it .
• He's got a lot of balls.
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 59 59 points
• Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 41 41 points
• Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) 37 37 points
• I'm not going to be able to do it.
• Oliver Bearman (Haas F1 Team) 20 20 points
• In the case of vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 15 km/h, this limit shall be reduced to 20 per cent.
• In the case of a vehicle with an engine powering more than 10 kW, it shall be possible to use both engines simultaneously.
• This is the first time I've seen him.
• Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams) 7 points
• I 'm not going anywhere .
• I'm not going to do it.
• Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 0 points
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 0 points
• Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) 0 points
• Sergio Perez (Cadillac) 0 points

Final ranking of the Azerbaijan GP

1. He 's a great guy . George Russell , Mercedes .
2. Max Verstappen from Red Bull
3. This is Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
4. I'm not going to do that.
5. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 264 concerning the following:
6. Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari.
7. Arvid Lindblad from the Racing Bulls
8. He 's the one who got away .
9. I'm not sure what you mean.
10. He 's a good guy .
11. In the light of these considerations, the Commission concludes that there are no grounds for amending Regulation (EC) No 794/2008.
12. Liam Lawson from the Racing Bulls .
13. It is therefore appropriate to set out the reasons for this decision.
14. He 's a good guy .
15. He 's a good guy .

The following drivers withdrew from the race: Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Pierre Gasly (alpine), Lando Norris (McLaren), Alexander Albon (Williams), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Lance Stroll ( Aston Martin).

Why was the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?

The race in Baku was originally scheduled for Sunday (27) but the FIA and Formula 1 announced the change in June 2011.2025 The reason: to meet a request from the Azerbaijani promoter and government authorities involved, to accommodate a national holiday.

This holiday is the Day of Remembrance, celebrated annually on September 27, which honors those killed during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War also known as Patriotic War.

What's coming up ahead

Formula One returns on October 4, again a Sunday, for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Exceptionally, the race will be held at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia after being postponed due to military conflicts in the Middle East.

For the reader who follows the season, the scenario is clear: Mercedes dominates, but the internal dispute between Antonelli and Russell is far from settled.

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man