Russell takes Azerbaijan GP pole as Antonelli crashes out in Q1
Synopsis
George Russell delivered a pole lap no one could match in Baku, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli's session ended in the barriers at Turn 1. Starting 16th against a front-running Mercedes, Antonelli's lead faces its sharpest test yet — even if Baku's chaotic race history offers a faint lifeline.
Key Takeaways
George Russell took pole for the Azerbaijan GP with a lap of 1:42.526 , beating Charles Leclerc by 0.837 seconds .
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed at Turn 1 in Q1 and was classified 16th on the grid.
Oscar Piastri qualified third, just 0.001 seconds behind Leclerc; Max Verstappen qualified eighth.
Isack Hadjar returned from a three-race injury absence to qualify fourth, outpacing teammate Verstappen.
Williams ' Carlos Sainz secured the team's first Q3 appearance of the season with a revised car 28 kg lighter than at the season opener.
Antonelli has previously won from 19th on the grid at Monza this season, keeping his recovery hopes alive.
George Russell claimed pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on Friday, 25 September, delivering a dominant qualifying performance as his Mercedes teammate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed out in the opening phase, dramatically reshuffling the title picture heading into Saturday's race.
Russell's Commanding Lap
Russell posted a stunning time of 1:42.526 around the Baku City Circuit, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.837 seconds. McLaren's Oscar Piastri qualified third, a mere 0.001 seconds behind Leclerc. Russell had topped both Q1 and Q2 before sealing the front-row start with a commanding final lap in Q3, leaving rivals with no answer.
McLaren had appeared Russell's biggest threat after Piastri and Lando Norris occupied the top two positions with four minutes remaining in Q3. However, neither driver could match Russell's final effort, while Leclerc vaulted to second at the last moment.
The Rest of the Grid
Isack Hadjar delivered a standout result, qualifying fourth on his return after missing three races with a wrist injury — outqualifying his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, who managed only eighth. Norris was fifth for McLaren, ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in sixth and Alpine's Pierre Gasly in seventh. Williams' Carlos Sainz and Alpine's Franco Colapinto rounded out the top 10.
Notably, Sainz's result marked Williams' first Q3 appearance this season, with both Williams cars progressing from Q1 in a heavily revised package that has shed 28 kilograms since the start of the season.
Antonelli's Qualifying Nightmare
Championship leader Antonelli saw his session end almost as soon as it began. The Italian struck the inside wall at Turn 1 during Q1, damaging the front-left of his Mercedes. He initially attempted to return to the pits before the team instructed him to stop the car. His earlier lap was sufficient to carry him into Q2 on time, but with the damaged car unable to continue, he was classified 16th.
Behind the top 10, Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, and Arvid Lindblad were eliminated in Q2 alongside Antonelli. Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, and Lance Stroll were knocked out in Q1 and will occupy the final six grid positions.
Championship Implications
Russell's pole offers a genuine opportunity to cut into Antonelli's substantial championship lead. Baku's long straights and historically chaotic race conditions — frequent Safety Car periods and red flags — do keep Antonelli's recovery chances alive. Notably, the Italian has already shown remarkable form under pressure this season, winning at Monza from 19th on the grid earlier in the campaign. All the same, starting from 16th against a front-running Mercedes is a steep challenge. The race is set to be one of the most consequential of the season for the title fight.
Point of View
And Antonelli's Monza comeback from 19th shows this is not over. But if Mercedes convert pole to victory and Antonelli fails to recover beyond the points, the title fight could suddenly look far closer than it did 24 hours ago. The more interesting story, buried under the headline crash, is Williams: a 28-kilogram weight reduction midseason to reach Q3 is the kind of engineering momentum that turns mid-field teams into genuine threats by season's end.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who took pole position at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
George Russell of Mercedes took pole position at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, setting a lap time of 1:42.526. He beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.837 seconds, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri third.
What happened to Kimi Antonelli in qualifying?
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed into the inside wall at Turn 1 during Q1 in Baku, damaging the front-left of his Mercedes. His team instructed him to stop the car, and he was classified 16th on the grid for Saturday's race.
How does Antonelli's grid position affect the championship?
Starting 16th gives Russell, on pole, a clear opportunity to cut into Antonelli's championship lead. However, Antonelli has already won from 19th on the grid at Monza this season, and Baku's long straights and tendency for Safety Cars keep a recovery drive plausible.
What was notable about Williams' qualifying performance?
Carlos Sainz qualified ninth, giving Williams their first Q3 appearance of the 2026 season. Both Williams cars progressed from Q1 using a heavily revised package that is 28 kilograms lighter than the car that started the season.
How did Isack Hadjar perform on his return from injury?
Isack Hadjar qualified fourth in Baku on his return from a three-race absence due to a wrist injury. He outqualified his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, who could only manage eighth on the grid.
