George Russell set the pace in Thursday practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 in Baku. Mercedes appear the team to beat heading into final practice and qualifying. Kimi Antonelli trails his teammate after FP1 and FP2.
Live Updates Hub for Azerbaijan GP 2026
Live timing, results and commentary from Baku City Circuit are updated here.
F1 Azerbaijan GP LIVE: Final Practice and Qualifying updates, results, stream, highlights from Formula 1 race weekend in Baku
Final practice runs on Saturday morning in Baku. Qualifying follows later the same day. Sky Sports provides live coverage and stream access. Formula1.com publishes official results and sector times.
Highlights are posted after each session.
Session times, broadcast channels and how to watch live commentary from Baku
All times are local AZT UTC+4.
| Session | Date | Local Time | UK Time | US ET |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 | Thu 18 Sep | 11:30 | 07:30 | 03:30 |
| FP2 | Thu 18 Sep | 15:00 | 11:00 | 07:00 |
| FP3 | Sat 20 Sep | 12:30 | 08:30 | 04:30 |
| Qualifying | Sat 20 Sep | 16:00 | 12:00 | 08:00 |
| Race | Sun 21 Sep | 15:00 | 11:00 | 07:00 |
Real-time leaderboard and lap times tracker
Live leaderboard updates after each run. Sector times and tyre compounds are shown.
Fastest lap from Thursday practice is credited to Russell in FP2.
Practice Debrief: Is Mercedes in Control in Baku
Practice debrief: Is George Russell out of reach in Baku or might one of his rivals step up
Mercedes showed the strongest pace on the Baku street circuit on Thursday. Russell was quicker than championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Rivals did not match Mercedes on long-run simulations.
FP1 and FP2 times, results and key takeaways
FP2 set the benchmark for the Azerbaijan weekend. Russell topped the timesheet. Antonelli was second in the second Mercedes.
| Driver | Team | FP2 Best | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Russell | Mercedes | 1:42.1 | C4 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:42.6 | C4 |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:43.0 | C4 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:43.2 | C4 |
Mercedes pace vs Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari in Baku street circuit conditions
Mercedes had the best traction out of the tight Baku corners. Red Bull struggled with rear stability.
McLaren looked competitive on race pace. Ferrari was inconsistent across sectors.
Is Russell out of reach after Thursday practice in Baku?
Russell is in control after Thursday. The gap to Antonelli was small but consistent across runs.
Rivals may step up in final practice. Track evolution will help.
Qualifying Preview and Predictions
F1 practice LIVE: Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 times, results & commentary from Baku
Live commentary continues into qualifying. BBC Sport runs a live text feed from Baku.
Sector analysis will focus on Turns 1-3 and the long flat-out section.
Pole position battle and sector analysis for Baku City Circuit
Baku rewards low drag and stable braking. Sector 2 is decisive.
Mercedes has an advantage in Sector 1.
Weather forecast and track evolution impact
Dry conditions are forecast for Saturday. Temperatures will peak at 28C.
Track will gain grip through qualifying.
Driver and Team Storylines to Watch
George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli intra-Mercedes battle
Russell leads Antonelli in practice. Antonelli leads the championship.
The intra-team dynamic is under scrutiny in Baku.
Championship implications heading into Azerbaijan GP
Antonelli leads the standings. A strong result in Baku is required to keep pressure on.
Russell can close the gap with a win.
Rivals who could challenge Russell after strong practice
Verstappen can improve on low fuel. Piastri showed strong long-run pace.
Race Weekend Schedule and Results Archive
Full Azerbaijan GP 2026 timetable for practice, qualifying and race
Thursday featured FP1 and FP2. Saturday holds FP3 and qualifying. Sunday hosts the race.
Live results, highlights and post-session analysis
Official results are posted on Formula1.com. Highlights are available on F1 TV and broadcaster platforms.
FAQ
Where to stream F1 Azerbaijan GP live
Stream options include F1 TV Pro and broadcaster apps. Sky Sports holds UK rights. Live text is available via BBC Sport.
What time does qualifying start in Baku
Qualifying starts at 16:00 local on Saturday 20 September 2026.
Why Baku is a key overtaking and tyre management track
Baku has a long straight and heavy braking zones. Tyre degradation is moderate. Overtaking is possible at Turn 1 and Turn 3.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who set the fastest lap in Azerbaijan GP 2026 practice?
- A: George Russell set the pace in both FP1 and FP2 on Thursday in Baku, leading for Mercedes ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli.
- Q: When is qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026?
- A: Qualifying is on Saturday 20 Sep at 16:00 local AZT, 12:00 UK, 08:00 US ET, followed by the race on Sunday 21 Sep at 15:00 local.
- Q: How can I watch Azerbaijan GP 2026 live?
- A: Live coverage and stream are available on Sky Sports, with official results and sector times published on Formula1.com and live updates from Baku City Circuit.
- Q: Is Mercedes the team to beat in Baku?
- A: Practice debrief suggests Mercedes showed the strongest pace on the Baku street circuit on Thursday, with Russell out in front heading into final practice and qualifying.
Extended Reading
Coverage of Thursday practice and the practice debrief is reported by Formula1.com. Is Russell out of reach in Baku or might one of his rivals step up notes Mercedes as the team to beat.
Sky Sports provides live final practice and qualifying updates, results, stream and highlights from the Formula 1 race weekend in Baku.
BBC Sport runs a live text feed for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026.
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