News Summary
- George Russell completed a Thursday sweep by leading Azerbaijan GP FP2 in 1:43.347
- Kimi Antonelli recovered from his FP1 hydraulic failure to finish second, 0.552s behind
- Arvid Lindblad crashed heavily in the castle section, while Gabriel Bortoleto placed 14th
George Russell completed a clean sweep of Thursday practice at the Azerbaijan GP by leading FP2 ahead of Mercedes team-mate and championship rival Kimi Antonelli.
After topping the opening session with a 1:45.387, Russell improved to 1:43.347 on the soft tyres during the second hour of running at the Baku City Circuit.
Antonelli recovered from the hydraulic failure that had ended his FP1 after only 25 minutes and climbed to second with a late qualifying simulation. The championship leader finished 0.552s behind Russell, while Max Verstappen was Mercedes’ closest challenger in third, 0.827s off the pace.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton placed fourth and fifth respectively, leaving Ferrari more than one second behind Russell. Lando Norris was sixth for McLaren after abandoning a potentially competitive lap despite setting the fastest opening sector.
Pierre Gasly separated the McLarens in seventh, ahead of Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon.
Lindblad crash stops session in castle section
Arvid Lindblad caused the session’s only red flag when he hit the barriers at the entrance to Baku’s castle section with 41 minutes remaining.
The Racing Bulls driver clipped one wall before making a second, heavier impact that caused substantial damage to the car. Lindblad climbed out without assistance and appeared uninjured, but his session ended with only the 18th-fastest time.
The accident was Lindblad’s second consecutive FP2 crash after his Turn 13 impact at Madring two weeks earlier.
The red flag lasted approximately ten minutes. Shortly after the restart, Oliver Bearman stopped his Haas near Turn 2 with a mechanical problem and caused a brief yellow-flag period.
Hamilton will also face an investigation after the session over an incident with Liam Lawson. The Racing Bulls driver encountered the slow-moving Ferrari through the high-speed section leading onto Baku’s main straight and described Hamilton’s driving over the radio as “dangerous”.
Bortoleto finishes behind Pérez in 14th
Gabriel Bortoleto placed 14th for Audi, setting a 1:45.794 to finish 2.447s behind Russell. The Brazilian ended the session only 0.060s ahead of team-mate Nico Hülkenberg but 0.034s behind Sergio Pérez’s Cadillac.
Franco Colapinto finished 11th for Alpine, followed by Lawson and Pérez. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz placed 16th and 17th as Williams continued evaluating its substantial Baku upgrade package.
Aston Martin occupied the final two positions. Fernando Alonso lost track time while the team investigated a suspected oil leak from his Honda power unit, while both Alonso and Lance Stroll are already due to start from the back after taking new engine components.
2026 Azerbaijan GP FP2 results
| Pos. | Driver | Team/Engine | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G. RUSSELL | Mercedes | 1:43.347 | — |
| 2 | K. ANTONELLI | Mercedes | 1:43.899 | +0.552 |
| 3 | M. VERSTAPPEN | Red Bull Ford | 1:44.174 | +0.827 |
| 4 | C. LECLERC | Ferrari | 1:44.473 | +1.126 |
| 5 | L. HAMILTON | Ferrari | 1:44.665 | +1.318 |
| 6 | L. NORRIS | McLaren Mercedes | 1:44.831 | +1.484 |
| 7 | P. GASLY | Alpine Mercedes | 1:44.843 | +1.496 |
| 8 | O. PIASTRI | McLaren Mercedes | 1:44.857 | +1.510 |
| 9 | I. HADJAR | Red Bull Ford | 1:44.868 | +1.521 |
| 10 | E. OCON | Haas Ferrari | 1:45.290 | +1.943 |
| 11 | F. COLAPINTO | Alpine Mercedes | 1:45.479 | +2.132 |
| 12 | L. LAWSON | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford | 1:45.681 | +2.334 |
| 13 | S. PÉREZ | Cadillac Ferrari | 1:45.760 | +2.413 |
| 14 | G. BORTOLETO | Audi | 1:45.794 | +2.447 |
| 15 | N. HÜLKENBERG | Audi | 1:45.854 | +2.507 |
| 16 | A. ALBON | Williams Mercedes | 1:46.123 | +2.776 |
| 17 | C. SAINZ | Williams Mercedes | 1:46.221 | +2.874 |
| 18 | A. LINDBLAD | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford | 1:46.391 | +3.044 |
| 19 | V. BOTTAS | Cadillac Ferrari | 1:46.737 | +3.390 |
| 20 | O. BEARMAN | Haas Ferrari | 1:46.801 | +3.454 |
| 21 | L. STROLL | Aston Martin Honda | 1:47.403 | +4.056 |
| 22 | F. ALONSO | Aston Martin Honda | 1:47.889 | +4.542 |
The available initial classification did not include lap totals.
Formula 1 returns on Friday for FP3 at 09:30 UK and 04:30 ET, followed by qualifying at 13:00 UK and 08:00 ET. The Azerbaijan GP starts on Saturday at 12:00 UK and 07:00 ET.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows every session of the Azerbaijan GP LIVE and in REAL TIME.
F1 today: FAQ
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?
The race takes place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The entire programme was moved forward, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.
What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?
The Azerbaijan GP starts at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time on Saturday. It will run for 51 laps around the 6.003km Baku City Circuit.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Azerbaijan?
Yes. Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81-point lead over George Russell, making him mathematically capable of securing the championship. To become champion, he must leave Azerbaijan at least 75 points ahead.
Who was fastest in Azerbaijan GP FP2?
George Russell led the session for Mercedes with a 1:43.347, completing a sweep of Thursday practice in Baku.
