By: After the third free practice session, it was time for qualifying in Baku: here is what happened.
Q1: Antonelli error as Russell leads the field
Valtteri Bottas was the first to head out on track, followed by the rest of the field. With six minutes remaining, Russell led the way with a 1’44’’277, ahead of Verstappen and Hadjar. Problems for Kimi Antonelli, who clipped the wall at Turn 1 and was forced to park his W17 in a safe area of the track; he will have to fight his way back tomorrow.
At the chequered flag, Russell finished fastest, ahead of Verstappen and Hadjar; Leclerc was fourth and Hamilton fifth. Norris was seventh. The drivers eliminated in Q1 were: Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Perez, Stroll and Bottas. Both Haas and Williams pairings performed well, with all four cars progressing to Q2.
Q2: Russell believes, Sainz impresses
The action resumed with Carlos Sainz setting the first lap, a 1’44’’849. After everyone had completed their first attempt, Russell was once again on top, ahead of Leclerc and Norris, with Verstappen seventh. Most drivers had enough fuel to remain on track and attempt multiple runs. At the chequered flag, George Russell was again the fastest with a 1’43’’462, ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc; Hamilton was seventh. An excellent performance from Sainz saw him reach Q3, alongside both Alpines. Bearman narrowly missed out on the top ten. The drivers eliminated in Q2 were: Bearman, Lawson, Albon, Ocon, Lindblad and Antonelli.
Q3: Russell devours his rivals
That brought the session to its final phase, with Russell, Verstappen, Sainz, Norris and Piastri immediately taking to the track, while the rest of the field waited a few minutes. After the first runs, Oscar Piastri set the provisional pole with a 1’43’’571, ahead of Norris and Russell; Verstappen was fourth, but some way behind the group ahead of him. The two Ferraris and Hadjar had yet to set a time.
The order changed lap by lap but, at the chequered flag, George Russell claimed a stunning pole position, opening up a remarkable gap over his rivals: Leclerc, who secured second place, was as much as eight tenths behind. Piastri was third; a disaster for Verstappen, who was eighth. The full classification is below.
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Azerbaijan GP 2026
