In the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen managed to edge out George Russell, preventing the Mercedes driver from achieving a clean sweep of the fastest times. The Red Bull driver’s increasingly quick laps on the soft tyre compound allowed him to claim the top spot on the timesheet with a best lap of 1:43.922, just ahead of Russell, who finished 0.099 seconds slower after a near‑miss with the barriers at Turn Seven. The session was marked by unusually gusty conditions that swept across Baku’s street circuit, turning the normally predictable practice into a test of driver skill and car stability.
The wind, which intensified as the hour progressed, made the already narrow, wall‑lined track even more treacherous, causing several drivers to lose control and run off the asphalt. These off‑track excursions highlighted how even the most experienced pilots can be caught out by the combination of high speeds and unpredictable side‑winds that are a hallmark of the Baku layout. Mercedes had started the day in a strong position, having set the pace during Thursday’s calmer practice runs.
However, as the wind picked up, Verstappen’s Red Bull seemed to find a rhythm on the softer compound, gradually closing the gap to Russell before finally eclipsing him. The Dutchman’s lap not only demonstrated the raw speed of the RB‑26 but also underscored Red Bull’s ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions, a factor that could prove decisive in the upcoming qualifying session. Russell, despite the scare at Turn Seven, managed to keep his composure and posted a solid time that kept him on the front row of the provisional grid.
His near‑collision with the wall was a stark reminder of how little margin there is on a circuit where the walls are virtually at arm’s length from the racing line. The incident also emphasized the importance of precision and confidence when navigating Baku’s high‑speed sections, especially under windy circumstances. Ferrari, which had been trailing the leaders for most of the session, saw a late surge from Lewis Hamilton, who vaulted into third place with his final lap. Hamilton’s time was aided by a strategic tow from the pack as he entered Baku’s long pit straight, giving him an extra boost of straight‑line speed.
This tow, combined with the drafting effect of the wind, allowed the Mercedes driver to close the gap to Verstappen to just 0.111 seconds, illustrating how aerodynamic factors can dramatically influence lap times on a circuit with such a lengthy main straight. Both the wind and the potential for a tow will be critical variables in the qualifying battle that begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
Sky Sports F1 analyst David Croft noted that the weather conditions promise a "fascinating and dramatic" qualifying, acknowledging that the drivers will have to contend with challenging circumstances that could shuffle the order dramatically. Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship by 81 points over Russell, posted the fourth‑fastest time, staying ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who occupied the fifth spot. Both drivers experienced brief off‑track moments, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining a clean line in the gusty environment.
Pierre Gasly, fresh from his maiden pole at the high‑speed Monza circuit three weeks earlier, continued his strong form by delivering an Alpine that was the sixth quickest, outpacing the McLaren duo. McLaren, despite introducing a substantial aerodynamic upgrade for the Baku weekend, struggled to match the pace of the front‑runners.
Lando Norris, after a solid Thursday run, was already considered unlikely to challenge for pole, a view that was reinforced by his Friday performance where he and teammate Oscar Piastri (who was seventh fastest) could not close the gap to the leaders. Their times were still notably quicker than those of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, who is still regaining form after missing three races due to a wrist injury. Franco Colapinto placed tenth in the second Alpine, narrowly ahead of Carlos Sainz in a heavily revised Williams that showed promising improvements during the morning session. The updated chassis and aerodynamic package seemed to give the team a better foothold in the competitive upper‑midfield battle, suggesting that Williams could be a dark horse in the race.
Lance Stroll’s session was cut short after he clipped the inside wall at Turn One, completing only nine laps before stopping in the runoff area. His incident added to the list of drivers who were forced to abandon their runs due to the unforgiving nature of the Baku street circuit. The weekend schedule continues with a packed lineup of support races and events. On Friday, the F2 Feature Race 1 will kick off at 11:10 a.m., followed by the Azerbaijan GP qualifying build‑up at 12:30 p.m., and the main qualifying session at 1 p.m.
Later in the afternoon, Ted’s Qualifying Notebook will provide analysis at 3 p.m. Saturday’s program includes the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 a.m., a Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 a.m., the race itself at noon, and post‑race coverage, including a reaction segment and Ted’s Notebook, throughout the afternoon. All events will be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event, and fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver excitement, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix acting as the centerpiece of a triple‑header weekend. Viewers can watch the action via Sky Sports F1 or the NOW streaming service, which offers a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.