George Russell emerged as the quickest driver in the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, setting the pace on a circuit that is notorious for its high‑speed straights and tight city‑centre sections. The Mercedes star’s performance came amid a setback for championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who was forced to pull into the pits after encountering a hydraulic failure that halted his lap. Russell, who currently trails Antonelli by 81 points in the drivers' standings, knows that the gap must start to shrink quickly if he hopes to keep his title hopes alive. A strong showing in Baku could be the catalyst he needs, and the first practice data suggests he is on the right track.
His fastest lap was heavily assisted by a powerful slipstream from fellow driver Fernando Alonso, allowing Russell to edge out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and the two Ferraris by roughly four‑tenths of a second. Even without the aerodynamic tow, Russell’s lap times indicated that his car possessed the raw speed required to challenge the front‑running teams. Antonelli’s day, however, took a dramatic turn when a hydraulic issue forced him to stop after only a few minutes on track, costing him an estimated 35 minutes of valuable running time. The loss of track time will leave the Italian at a disadvantage heading into the second practice session scheduled for Thursday at 13:00, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Despite the setback, Antonelli remains confident, noting that the first practice session is generally the least representative of a weekend’s overall performance. "In terms of Kimi's session, FP1 is the least representative session, so that's a blessing," said Sky Sports F1 analyst Jamie Chadwick, adding that the primary concern now lies in diagnosing the cause of the hydraulic failure. Reliability has been a recurring theme for Mercedes this season, and while the team has shown marked improvement over recent races, any lingering issues could prove costly in a tightly contested championship. The Baku circuit, known for its demanding layout and propensity for unexpected drama, has already produced two consecutive race victories for Antonelli, but the narrow streets and long straights can quickly erode even a sizable points lead.
With an 81‑point cushion over Russell and more than a 100‑point margin ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, the Italian champion is aware that a single misstep could dramatically tighten the standings. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc posted their best times on the medium‑compound tyres, signalling that they will be in the mix for pole position on Friday and will aim to convert that into a race win on Saturday afternoon. Red Bull, not to be outdone, arrived in Baku with a suite of new components, including an updated floor, revised side‑pods and fresh mirror designs.
Verstappen demonstrated the effectiveness of these upgrades early in the session, especially on the hard tyre, where he posted competitive lap times that kept him within striking distance of the front‑row contenders. If the slipstream benefit that helped Russell achieve his quickest lap is removed, the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull narrows considerably, suggesting a genuine three‑way battle for supremacy at the top of the grid. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris found themselves in sixth and fourteenth places respectively, both more than a second off Russell’s benchmark despite having introduced aerodynamic upgrades aimed at improving high‑speed stability. Piastri at one point suspected damage to his car, but engineers were unable to locate any visible issues, while Norris has yet to reveal his full pace potential.
Red Bull’s young talent Isack Hadjar, confirmed to stay with the team through 2027, returned to the garage for the first time since July after missing the previous three race weekends due to a wrist injury. Unfortunately, his comeback was hampered by an engine problem that cost him roughly 30 minutes of running time. This development paved the way for Liam Lawson to take the wheel of the Racing Bulls car, where he launched from the start line into seventh place, with teammate Arvid Lindblad close behind in eighth. Further down the order, Esteban Ocon, whose future with Haas appears uncertain as the team is expected to release him after the season, managed to secure ninth place.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, making his debut in the sport, rounded out the top ten in tenth position. Williams driver Carlos Sainz experienced a minor brake fire early in the session, but the incident caused only a brief interruption and did not significantly affect his overall running. The team has introduced a substantial upgrade package for the weekend, which they hope will translate into stronger performance in the remaining practice sessions. The schedule for the remainder of the weekend is packed with action.
Thursday, September 24, features the second practice session at 13:00, followed by the F1 Show at 14:15. Friday, September 25, includes the F2 Sprint, the third practice session at 9:30, the F2 Feature Race, and the crucial qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 13:00. Saturday’s program continues with the second F2 Feature Race, the Grand Prix build‑up, and the race itself, slated to start at midday.
The event will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1 and is also available via NOW with a flexible, contract‑free subscription. Overall, the first practice in Baku has set the stage for an intriguing showdown. Russell’s early speed, Antonelli’s reliability concerns, Red Bull’s fresh parts, and the strategic tyre choices of Hamilton and Leclerc all point to a fiercely contested weekend.
As the teams fine‑tune their setups and drivers push the limits of their machinery, fans can expect a blend of high‑octane action and strategic nuance that could reshape the championship narrative heading into the final phases of the 2026 Formula 1 season.