George Russell topped both Thursday practice sessions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Mercedes set the pace ahead of FP3 and qualifying. Russell beat championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.124s in FP2.
Live updates, results and streams are running from Baku City Circuit. Final practice and qualifying are next.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know Now
Russell led FP1 and FP2 in Baku on Thursday. Mercedes looks strongest on the street circuit. FP3 and qualifying follow on Saturday with live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and Formula1.com.
Real-time lap times, sector data and commentary are available via F1 TV Pro and official broadcasters.
Core Pain Points
Real-time access to F1 practice times, results and commentary from Baku
FP1 and FP2 leaderboards are published within minutes of each session. Sector times and tyre compounds are logged live.
Sky Sports F1 and Formula1.com provide continuous commentary from the pit lane.
Understanding the competitive picture after Thursday practice – Is Russell out of reach?
Mercedes appears to be the team to beat this weekend. Russell was stronger than Antonelli across both sessions.
Rivals have not matched the Silver Arrows on long runs yet.
Where and how to watch live stream, highlights and final practice and qualifying updates
Official broadcaster listings vary by territory. F1 TV Pro streams all sessions live with onboard cameras.
Highlights are posted on Formula1.com and Sky Sports after each session.
Azerbaijan GP 2026 Schedule and Live Coverage Times
All times are subject to official confirmation by Formula 1.
| Session | Local AZT UTC+4 | GMT |
|---|---|---|
| FP1 | Thu 11 Sep 12:30 | 08:30 |
| FP2 | Thu 11 Sep 16:00 | 12:00 |
| FP3 | Sat 13 Sep 11:30 | 07:30 |
| Qualifying | Sat 13 Sep 15:00 | 11:00 |
| Race | Sun 14 Sep 15:00 | 11:00 |
Practice 1, Practice 2, Practice 3 start times local and GMT
Thursday practice runs in 40 degree ambient heat. FP3 on Saturday provides the last dry reference before qualifying.
Qualifying session time and broadcast channels
Qualifying starts at 15:00 local on Saturday. Sky Sports F1 carries live coverage in the UK.
Formula1.com offers live timing and commentary globally.
Race day schedule for Baku City Circuit
The Grand Prix starts at 15:00 local on Sunday. Pre-race build-up begins two hours before lights out.
F1 Practice LIVE: Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 Times, Results and Commentary from Baku
FP1 and FP2 live results leaderboard
Russell set the fastest time in FP1. Antonelli was second. Red Bull and McLaren trailed by three tenths.
FP2 saw Russell extend his advantage. Mercedes used soft tyres for the final runs.
FP3 final practice lap times and sector analysis
FP3 will confirm tyre degradation on Baku’s long straights. Sector 2 remains the key differentiator.
Live commentary highlights and key moments from Sky Sports and Formula1.com
Sky Sports reported strong Mercedes long-run pace. Formula1.com noted Ferrari’s straight-line deficit.
Is Russell Out of Reach After Thursday Practice in Baku?
George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli Mercedes intra-team battle
Russell beat Antonelli in both sessions. The gap was 0.124s in FP2.
Antonelli struggled with rear stability in Sector 3.
Practice debrief analysis: Is Russell out of reach in Baku or might rivals step up
Mercedes appear to be the ones to beat. Russell was the stronger of the Silver Arrows.
Rivals may find gains in qualifying trim.
Mercedes pace advantage and Baku street circuit characteristics
Baku rewards power and low drag. Mercedes showed strong top speed on the main straight.
Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari response after practice
McLaren was third fastest in FP2. Red Bull was fourth. Ferrari trailed by half a second.
F1 Azerbaijan GP LIVE: Final Practice and Qualifying Updates, Results, Stream, Highlights
Qualifying live updates and grid predictions
Live timing updates will be posted minute by minute. Grid predictions will be revised after Q3.
Pole position battle and Q3 summary
Q3 is expected to be close between Mercedes and McLaren.
Where to stream F1 Azerbaijan GP live – official broadcasters and F1 TV
F1 TV Pro streams all sessions with no delay in most markets. National broadcasters hold rights elsewhere.
Highlights recap and post-qualifying team reactions
Highlights are available within 30 minutes of session end. Team radio is included.
Baku Circuit Guide and Race Weekend Storylines
Why Baku favors straight-line speed and qualifying
The 6.003 km street circuit has a 2.2 km straight. Qualifying performance is critical.
Key overtaking zones and tire strategy notes
Overtaking is possible at Turn 1 and Turn 3. Pirelli expects two-stop strategies.
Championship implications heading into Azerbaijan
Antonelli leads the championship. Russell can close the gap with a win in Baku.
FAQ
What time is F1 practice in Baku today?
FP1 started at 12:30 local on Thursday. FP3 is Saturday at 11:30 local.
How to watch Azerbaijan GP qualifying live stream?
Watch via Sky Sports F1, Formula1.com live timing, or F1 TV Pro.
Did George Russell dominate practice in Baku?
Russell topped both Thursday sessions. Mercedes set the benchmark.
Where to find official Azerbaijan GP practice results?
Official results are on Formula1.com and the FIA website.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who led FP1 and FP2 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
- A: George Russell led both Thursday practice sessions in Baku for Mercedes, ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
- Q: How can I watch live streams and updates from Baku?
- A: Live coverage is on Sky Sports F1 and Formula1.com, with full streaming on F1 TV Pro including onboard cameras and real-time sector data.
- Q: Does Mercedes have an advantage after Thursday practice?
- A: Yes, Russell was fastest in both sessions and rivals have not matched Mercedes pace on long runs so far.
- Q: When is FP3 and qualifying for Azerbaijan GP 2026?
- A: FP3 and qualifying follow on Saturday with live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and Formula1.com.
Extended Reading
Practice debrief analysis on Russell’s pace is covered by Formula1.com. Live final practice and qualifying updates are provided by Sky Sports F1. BBC Sport carries live text coverage of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
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