George Russell delivered a commanding performance in the opening sessions of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, outpacing his title‑leading teammate Kimi Antonelli and cementing Mercedes' early dominance on the Baku street circuit. After topping the first practice session, Russell continued his momentum into the second free‑practice, posting a lap that was roughly half a second quicker than Antonelli's best effort. This margin is significant on a circuit known for its tight corners, long straights, and demanding surface, underscoring Russell's confidence and the team's strong setup.
Antonelli, who currently leads the 2026 Drivers' Championship by 81 points over Russell, faced a challenging Thursday. A hydraulic leak forced his car to stop mid‑session during the opening practice, cutting his track time short. After an engine swap, the Italian driver managed to return to the track with just over half an hour remaining in the session.
Despite the limited window, he quickly climbed the timesheets, ultimately finishing second, 0.552 seconds behind Russell. Antonelli acknowledged the setback, noting, "We lost quite a few laps in FP1 and missing half of FP2 is never ideal, especially on a street circuit.
Overall, I feel like it was a good recovery. I feel quite good in the car. A few things to work on but looking forward to tomorrow." Max Verstappen secured third place in the upgraded Red Bull, though his gap to the Mercedes pair was roughly 0.8 seconds, highlighting the speed differential between the leading team and the rest of the field.
The remaining drivers were more than a second slower, with the Ferraris and McLarens trailing further behind. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupied fourth and fifth positions respectively, while McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took sixth and eighth.
Norris humorously described McLaren's pace relative to the leaders as "pretty pants," reflecting the team's frustration. Pierre Gasly delivered a solid seventh for Alpine, and the returning Isack Hadjar posted ninth for Red Bull.
Esteban Ocon, whose future with Haas looks uncertain for the 2027 season, rounded out the top ten in tenth place. The only interruption to the session came when Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad crashed in the narrow castle section of the Baku lap, prompting the sole red flag of the day. Russell, who had previously fallen more than three race victories behind Antonelli in Madrid, admitted that his championship hopes were realistic only in the context of being the closest challenger to his teammate in the points standings. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism about his form, recalling his last victory at the Austrian Grand Prix in June and noting that his recent podium finishes in Baku over the past four years have been encouraging.
"He's driving well," Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve commented after the second practice, adding that Antonelli's tendency toward understeer on the tighter sections of the circuit costs him a fraction of a second. Villeneuve summed up the intra‑team battle as a "straight fight between the two [Mercedes] teammates." The weekend schedule is packed with supporting series and additional content for fans.
On Friday, September 25, the day begins with the F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 9:15 am (the session itself starts at 9:30 am). Later in the morning, the F2 Feature Race 1 kicks off at 11:10 am, and the qualifying build‑up for the Grand Prix starts at 12:30 pm, leading into the official qualifying session at 1:00 pm. The day concludes with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm, providing analysis and insights.
Saturday, September 26, continues the action with the F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, followed by the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am. The main event, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, begins at noon, with the race expected to last around two hours on the demanding 6.003‑kilometre street layout.
After the checkered flag at approximately 2:00 pm, a reaction segment will air at 2:00 pm, and Ted's Notebook will provide post‑race commentary at 3:00 pm. All sessions are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, giving viewers multiple opportunities to follow the action. For fans seeking a flexible viewing experience, Sky Sports F1 is available through the NOW streaming service, which offers a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
This accessibility ensures that audiences can keep up with the high‑stakes drama of the 2026 Formula 1 season as it unfolds in Baku, a venue that has consistently produced thrilling races due to its blend of high‑speed straights and technical sections. In summary, Russell's dominant practice times signal a strong challenge for the remainder of the weekend, while Antonelli's resilience after a technical issue demonstrates his championship pedigree.
With Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, and the McLaren duo all within striking distance, the race promises an intense battle for podium positions. The added depth of support races and comprehensive coverage means that both casual viewers and dedicated followers will have a wealth of content to enjoy as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches.