News Summary
- George Russell led Azerbaijan GP FP1 with a 1:45.387, beating Max Verstappen by 0.400s.
- Kimi Antonelli stopped after 25 minutes with a hydraulic failure but retained fifth place.
- Ferrari finished third and fourth with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, while Gabriel Bortoleto placed tenth.
George Russell took control of the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a hydraulic failure ended Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s running prematurely in Baku.
Russell produced a 1:45.387 on soft tyres to finish 0.400s ahead of Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc placed third, only 0.004s ahead of Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli had led the session with a 1:46.265 before reporting a loss of hydraulic pressure and stopping in the Turn 7 escape road after approximately 25 minutes. Race control activated the Virtual Safety Car while marshals recovered the smoking W17.
The championship leader was also caught by spray from a marshal’s fire extinguisher after climbing from the car, although there was no immediate indication that it had suffered a significant fire.
Despite completing less than half of the session, Antonelli remained fifth and 0.878s behind Russell.
Braking problems disrupt opening Baku session
The combination of Baku’s long straights, heavy braking zones and high track temperatures created problems across the field. Several drivers missed their braking points, while Oscar Piastri reported severe brake vibration in the upgraded McLaren.
Alexander Albon returned to the Williams garage with the rear brakes on fire. Isack Hadjar, making his Formula 1 return after missing three races with a wrist injury, was instructed to reduce speed and return to the pits after reporting a mechanical problem with his Red Bull.
Piastri nevertheless finished sixth, followed by Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. Esteban Ocon placed ninth for Haas, while Gabriel Bortoleto completed the top ten for Audi, 1.301s behind Russell.
Bortoleto spent much of the session on hard tyres before moving into the top ten during his soft-tyre run. He finished 0.183s ahead of Audi team-mate Nico Hülkenberg in 11th.
Lando Norris endured a subdued opening session for McLaren and finished 14th, 1.594s off the pace. Fernando Alonso, Hadjar, Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas occupied the final four positions.
2026 Azerbaijan GP FP1 results
| Pos. | Driver | Team/Engine | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G. RUSSELL | Mercedes | 1:45.387 | — | — |
| 2 | M. VERSTAPPEN | Red Bull Ford | 1:45.787 | +0.400s | — |
| 3 | C. LECLERC | Ferrari | 1:45.791 | +0.404s | — |
| 4 | L. HAMILTON | Ferrari | 1:45.824 | +0.437s | — |
| 5 | K. ANTONELLI | Mercedes | 1:46.265 | +0.878s | 9 |
| 6 | O. PIASTRI | McLaren Mercedes | 1:46.398 | +1.011s | — |
| 7 | L. LAWSON | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford | 1:46.440 | +1.053s | — |
| 8 | A. LINDBLAD | Racing Bulls RBPT Ford | 1:46.601 | +1.214s | — |
| 9 | E. OCON | Haas Ferrari | 1:46.624 | +1.237s | — |
| 10 | G. BORTOLETO | Audi | 1:46.688 | +1.301s | — |
| 11 | N. HÜLKENBERG | Audi | 1:46.871 | +1.484s | — |
| 12 | C. SAINZ | Williams Mercedes | 1:46.893 | +1.506s | — |
| 13 | A. ALBON | Williams Mercedes | 1:46.939 | +1.552s | — |
| 14 | L. NORRIS | McLaren Mercedes | 1:46.981 | +1.594s | — |
| 15 | O. BEARMAN | Haas Ferrari | 1:46.994 | +1.607s | — |
| 16 | P. GASLY | Alpine Mercedes | 1:47.043 | +1.656s | — |
| 17 | S. PÉREZ | Cadillac Ferrari | 1:47.253 | +1.866s | — |
| 18 | F. COLAPINTO | Alpine Mercedes | 1:47.523 | +2.136s | — |
| 19 | F. ALONSO | Aston Martin Honda | 1:47.835 | +2.448s | — |
| 20 | I. HADJAR | Red Bull Ford | 1:47.873 | +2.486s | — |
| 21 | L. STROLL | Aston Martin Honda | 1:48.547 | +3.160s | — |
| 22 | V. BOTTAS | Cadillac Ferrari | 1:49.315 | +3.928s | — |
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.
