Red Bull Racing showcased major progress at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, capturing both second and third places in a dramatic contest around the Baku City Circuit. Max Verstappen surged from eighth to finish just a tenth behind the winner, while Isack Hadjar marked his return from injury with an impressive podium, sealing the team’s best result of the season.
Verstappen’s Climb to Second and Late Challenge for Victory
Starting from eighth after engine trouble in qualifying, Max Verstappen made the most of Red Bull’s overnight power unit change, which proved vital on Baku’s high-speed straights. He progressed steadily up the order, managing tyre strategy and overtaking as the safety car periods brought the field together.
Verstappen’s move onto soft tyres for the final stint saw him close rapidly on race leader George Russell. In the closing laps, Verstappen applied constant pressure, coming within a tenth of taking the win as Russell suffered a technical issue out of Turn 15. Despite not quite having the straight-line speed to complete a pass, Verstappen described the outing as fun and praised the team’s ability to maximise their improved package.
Hadjar Makes a Triumphant Return after Injury
Isack Hadjar returned to racing in Baku and delivered his strongest performance yet for Red Bull. Starting not far from his teammate, Hadjar battled wheel-to-wheel early on and matched Verstappen’s pace for the opening part of the race.
Switching to the medium tyre in the second stint, Hadjar dropped back slightly from Verstappen but maintained enough speed and composure to lock in third place. His podium was a testament to his controlled approach on a demanding street circuit, and it completed Red Bull’s first double podium in several races. Team management commended Hadjar’s adaptation and maturity after his recovery.
A Milestone for Red Bull in a Tight Season
According to Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, this strong result marks a significant step for the team, confirming the effectiveness of recent upgrades after a challenging start to the season. Both drivers extracted the most from the car, and the double podium narrows the perceived gap to Mercedes on circuits like Baku.
Mekies noted that, earlier in the season, Red Bull lacked competitive pace, but the Azerbaijan Grand Prix demonstrated the team’s fighting spirit and upward trajectory in performance. Mekies attributed this progress to the collective efforts at the factory and trackside, setting an optimistic tone for upcoming races.
