The Mercedes driver’s lights-to-flag victory was the eighth of his Formula 1 career and his third of 2026, his first since the Austrian Grand Prix in June. Two safety-car periods turned a comfortable lead into a last-lap scrap. Verstappen started eighth and finished almost alongside Russell after a late charge.
Isack Hadjar completed the podium on his return from a wrist injury that had kept him out of the previous three races. Red Bull extended his contract earlier this week.
Antonelli started 16th after crashing in Friday qualifying. His climb was steadier than his Monza win from 19th. The result cut his title lead over Russell from 81 to 66 points after 15 rounds.
“It’s amazing to be back on the top step of the podium,” Russell said. “Every race since the summer break I’ve gone from strength to strength and I feel more like myself again.”
Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton sixth. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) took seventh. Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman scored a double points finish for Haas in eighth and ninth. Carlos Sainz was 10th for Williams.
McLaren had a miserable afternoon. Lando Norris and both Alpines retired after Franco Colapinto locked up and collected Pierre Gasly and Norris under the second safety car. Alexander Albon had already hit the wall.
Top 10
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.196s
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +10.704s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +14.136s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +14.512s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
The title fight now heads into the next stretch with Antonelli still clear but Russell back on the podium and closing.