Russell’s lights‑to‑flag triumph in Baku stunned viewers, a masterclass from the Mercedes ace.
Yet the win was anything but dominant – the margin was a razor‑thin 0.196 seconds after two safety‑car periods.
That sliver of time makes this year’s Azerbaijan race the 11th‑closest finish ever, so let’s rank the top ten.
Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2002, follows team orders and takes over teammate Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari F2002
A controversial finish kicks off the countdown.
Ferrari teammates Barrichello and Schumacher led a 1‑2 in Austria, the Brazilian poised for his first win of a season dominated by his German champion teammate.
Coming out of the final corner, Barrichello eased off, letting Schumacher past – the move sparked fines and a ban on team orders the next year.
The margin at the line was 0.182 s.
9. Australia 2023 – Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton – 0.179s
The Safety Car Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23
A dramatic third round of 2023 saw Verstappen claim victory, the race ending under safety‑car control.
Three red flags in the final laps forced two restarts, then a final‑lap safety‑car notice let Verstappen cruise to the line unchallenged.
The safety‑car shuffle left the top two separated by just 0.179 s.
8. Canada 2000 – Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello – 0.174s
Podium: winner Michael Schumacher, second Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), third Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton)
Back to early‑2000s Ferrari duels for eighth place, this time at the 2000 Canadian Grand Prix.
Team orders reappeared, but without the 2002 scandal. Rain shuffled the field as Schumacher led, while an ailing Barrichello closed in late.
He was told to hold position; he obeyed, finishing 0.174 s behind his champion teammate amid a title fight with McLaren’s Mika Häkkinen.
7. France 1961 – Giancarlo Baghetti and Dan Gurney – 0.100s
Giancarlo Baghetti, Ferrari 156, Dan Gurney, Porsche 718
Next up: Reims, where the finish was as tight as the gap between first and second.
Baghetti started 12th on debut, then surged forward, battling for fourth with eventual runner‑up Gurney and several rivals.
When Hill, Moss and others dropped out, Baghetti defended against Gurney’s Porsche to the line.
Baghetti won by 0.100 s, becoming only the third driver to win on debut.
6. France 1954 – Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling – 0.100s
Hans Herrmann, Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling, Mercedes
Seven years earlier in France, the margin mirrored the 0.100 s finish.
Mercedes returned in force at Reims, Fangio holding off teammate Kling for the win.
A 1‑2‑3 would have materialised had Herrmann not retired after setting the fastest lap; Robert Manzon was third in a privateer Ferrari, a lap down.
5. Italy 1969 – Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt – 0.080s
Jackie Stewart, Matra MS80 takes the flag to win just ahead of Jochen Rindt, Lotus 49B, and Jean‑Pierre Beltoise, Matra MS80
Monza’s classic slipstream battle produced two of the top‑five tightest finishes, with Stewart’s 1969 win for Matra.
Stewart crossed the line 0.080 s ahead of Rindt after 68 laps and 1 hour 39 minutes.
Even the top four were within 0.190 s, a rarity worth its own mention.
4. Austria 1982 – Elio de Angelis and Keke Rosberg – 0.050s
Podium: race winner Elio de Angelis, Lotus Ford congratulated by Keke Rosberg, Williams, 2nd position
What seemed certain for Prost in Austria 1982 turned into a fierce duel between two future winners.
Prost retired with five laps left, leaving de Angelis to fend off Rosberg, who later clinched the world title.
Rosberg pressed hard but fell short by 0.050 s to the Lotus driver.
3. Spain 1986 – Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell – 0.014s
Ayrton Senna, Lotus 98T Renault, Nigel Mansell, Williams FW11 Honda
Jerez hosted a showdown among three legends in the thrilling 1986 Spanish Grand Prix.
Senna led Mansell and Prost in the race’s second half, but Mansell’s fresh tyres sparked a late charge.
Mansell surged on new rubber, yet Senna clung on by just 0.014 s to beat the Williams at the line.
2. USA 2002 – Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher – 0.011s
Rubens Barrichello pips Michael Schumacher, Ferrari on the finish line
Another orchestrated Ferrari swap? Not quite, but the drama remained high.
Schumacher lost out this time despite a fifth title, as Barrichello edged him by a photo‑finish, perhaps avenging Austria.
The margin was a scant 0.011 s.
1. Italy 1971 – Peter Gethin and Ronnie Peterson – 0.010s
Mike Hailwood, Surtees TS9, Peter Gethin, McLaren M14A Ford, Francois Cevert, Tyrrell 002 Ford
The closest finish ever came at Monza in 1971, a multi‑car slipstream scramble.
The top five covered just 0.6 s, with Gethin taking the win.
After retirements of Stewart, Regazzoni and Ickx, Gethin beat Peterson by 0.010 s.
Cevert, Hailwood and Ganley completed the iconic quintet crossing the chequered flag.
Photos from F1 Azerbaijan GP – Saturday
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on ?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Team