Russell takes Azerbaijan GP pole
The gist
George Russell took Azerbaijan GP pole after points leader Kimi Antonelli hit the wall in qualifying.
Russell can cut Antonelli's 81-point F1 lead, but the Mercedes teammate starts 16th.
How it unfolded
- Sep 25, 2026George Russell took pole for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after F1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli hit the wall in qualifying; Russell went nearly a second faster than anyone else.
- Sep 25, 2026Charles Leclerc was second, .837 of a second off the pace; Oscar Piastri was third-fastest, .001 further back. Isack Hadjar was fourth for Red Bull on his return from injury, Lando Norris fifth, Lewis Hamilton sixth and Max Verstappen eighth.
- Sep 25, 2026Antonelli clipped the wall and damaged a wheel and suspension in the first part of qualifying; he tried to get back to the pits but the team told him to stop because there was too much damage, leaving him set to start Saturday's race in 16th.