<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Azerbaijan GP grid is finally settled after a qualifying session dominated by George Russell\u2014and an evening of penalties that changed almost every position outside the opening four rows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russell produced one of Formula 1\u2019s most emphatic dry-weather pole laps, while Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen all left qualifying believing considerably more had been possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the main F1 stories from Baku on Friday, September 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russell secured pole with a 1:42.526<\/strong>, beating Charles Leclerc by 0.837s. Oscar Piastri qualified third, only 0.001s behind the Ferrari, with Isack Hadjar and Norris completing the top five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The margin was the largest recorded in a completely dry qualifying session since Nigel Mansell beat Riccardo Patrese by 0.859s at Suzuka in 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comparison excludes wet or changing sessions. At the 2023 Canadian GP<\/strong>, for example, Max Verstappen completed Q3 1.244s ahead of Nico H\u00fclkenberg in wet conditions. H\u00fclkenberg\u2019s subsequent penalty promoted Fernando Alonso to the front row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complete historical comparison places Russell\u2019s Baku margin among F1\u2019s largest of the modern era<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antonelli hit the wall at Turn 1 during Q1 after encountering more front-end grip than on his previous lap. The impact damaged the front-left corner of his Mercedes and forced him to stop at Turn 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His time was sufficient to reach Q2, but the car could not be repaired before the session resumed. The championship leader therefore starts 16th<\/strong>, while team-mate Russell occupies pole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antonelli called the mistake \u201cvery unnecessary\u201d and admitted that he was \u201cvery, very mad\u201d. Mercedes nevertheless possesses the strongest estimated race pace, giving the Italian a realistic recovery opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antonelli accepted responsibility for the accident but backed Mercedes to recover positions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No driver has won in Baku from lower than tenth, although Antonelli has already demonstrated his recovery ability by winning at Monza from 19th<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carlos Sainz received a five-place penalty<\/strong> for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags and drops from ninth to 14th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sergio P\u00e9rez was penalised three places for impeding Piastri and now starts 20th. Lance Stroll and Alonso received 20-place and 25-place penalties respectively following changes to Aston Martin\u2019s Honda power-unit components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Franco Colapinto benefits most among the leading midfield drivers, moving from tenth to ninth. Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon also gain one position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revised Azerbaijan GP starting grid places Stroll 21st and Alonso last<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Piastri starts third after missing Leclerc\u2019s front-row position by only 0.001s<\/strong>. McLaren\u2019s qualifying pace was insufficient to challenge Russell, but its long-run deficit to Mercedes was estimated at only 0.05s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That makes the Australian Russell\u2019s most credible race threat alongside Leclerc. Piastri also won in Baku in 2024 and starts from the clean side of the second row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Track position will be critical because McLaren has struggled for straight-line speed throughout the weekend. The race simulations nevertheless indicate that McLaren is considerably closer to Mercedes than the qualifying margin suggests<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norris starts fifth after locking a tyre during his final Q3 attempt. He accepted responsibility, explaining that he would rather risk everything for pole than settle for a conservative lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His greater concern is McLaren\u2019s straight-line deficit. Norris said fighting for the podium would be \u201cimpossible\u201d because his car lacked speed along Baku\u2019s extensive full-throttle sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem had already emerged during practice, when Norris described McLaren\u2019s 1.5-second deficit as \u201ca knife in the heart\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Briton must first clear Hadjar\u2019s Red Bull, which starts fourth and has demonstrated significantly stronger straight-line performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verstappen qualified eighth after leading FP3 earlier on Friday. He estimated that insufficient top speed cost approximately half a second per lap<\/strong>, even compared with team-mate Hadjar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutchman also reported that his battery failed to charge correctly during a Q3 preparation lap. That forced him to abandon the attempt and reduced tyre temperature before his final run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problems represented a dramatic reversal after Verstappen had beaten Russell by 0.099s to lead FP3<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verstappen described qualifying as a \u201cdisaster\u201d after Red Bull had appeared competitive throughout practice. He now starts behind Pierre Gasly and more than 1.5s slower than Russell\u2019s pole time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth and blamed Ferrari\u2019s changed Q3 programme and the absence of a tow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ferrari abandoned its initial two-run plan, leaving Hamilton at the front of the queue without another car ahead along Baku\u2019s long straight. He also acknowledged that Mercedes possessed a decisive straight-line advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamilton starts directly behind Norris and alongside Gasly. Leclerc, meanwhile, begins from the front row after qualifying only 0.001s ahead of Piastri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The setback followed an opening day in which Hamilton received his second reprimand of 2026 for severely impeding Liam Lawson<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocon qualified 14th before Sainz\u2019s penalty promoted him to 13th. The Haas driver believed he lost three or four tenths when yellow flags forced him to slow during his decisive Q2 lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He finished only 0.333s outside the Q3 cut-off and insisted the VF-26 had the performance to reach the final session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s different race weekend, same shit,\u201d Ocon said after another setback. \u201cI don\u2019t deserve all the shit that I have on my back at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comments follow Ocon\u2019s admission that inconsistent components have affected his car during 10 of the opening 15 rounds. His frustration also comes days after he declared himself a free agent for the 2027 season<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercedes produced the fastest qualifying lap and the strongest estimated race pace. Russell is therefore the clear favourite, but pole position has delivered victory in only three of the nine previous Formula 1 races held in Baku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The expected strategy is a one-stop race, with medium-to-hard the conventional choice. However, the low degradation and likelihood of a Safety Car could reward drivers who extend their opening stints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The full Azerbaijan GP tyre strategy guide explains the predicted pit windows and alternative plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Azerbaijan GP begins at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET, 16:30 India and 21:00 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane<\/strong> on Saturday. The complete start-time guide covers the principal international markets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> follows the Azerbaijan GP LIVE and in REAL TIME<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia<\/a> takes place at Sepang on Sunday, 4 October 2026<\/strong>. The race starts at 08:00 BST, 03:00 US Eastern time and 15:00 in Malaysia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kimi Antonelli leads with 302 points<\/strong>, 66 ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell, who has 236. Russell reduced the gap by 15 points<\/a> with his Azerbaijan GP victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAntonelli crashes and falls to 16th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Four penalties reshape Azerbaijan GP grid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Piastri leads McLaren challenge from third<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Norris says Baku podium is \u201cimpossible\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Verstappen blames engine and battery problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hamilton criticises Ferrari\u2019s Q3 plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ocon erupts after yellow flags deny Q3 chance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Russell remains favourite\u2014but Baku rewards flexibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
F1 today: FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When is the next F1 race after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who leads the 2026 F1 championship after Baku?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What penalty will Franco Colapinto serve at the next F1 race?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n