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2026 Azerbaijan GP

LIVE BLOG | Azerbaijan GP – Saturday’s Race

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Annika Rosler
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Welcome to our Azerbaijan GP Race Live Blog!

It’s race day in Baku, and after a dramatic qualifying session, the grid is set for another unpredictable Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

George Russell secured pole with a stunning 1:42.526, finishing 0.837s ahead of Charles Leclerc. Behind them, Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar completed the second row. For Hadjar, it marks his first weekend back on the grid after missing the previous three race weekends due to a wrist injury.

Behind them, Lando Norris starts fifth, Lewis Hamilton sixth. While Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen line up 4th row. Colapinto moves into ninth, with Bearman rounding out the Top 10.

The biggest shock on Friday came in Q1, as championship leader Kimi Antonelli clipped the inside wall at Turn 1. Mercedes driver was forced to end his session without setting a representative time. This came after an already disrupted run on Thursday, as his FP1 ended early due to a hydraulics issue, while an engine change delayed him getting on track for FP2. He will start from 16th, giving Russell a major opportunity to close the championship gap.

There are also several changes to the starting order. Carlos Sainz drops from ninth to 14th after a five-place penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags. Meanwhile, Sergio Pérez moves down three places for impeding Oscar Piastri. Alonso and Stroll will start from the back after taking additional power-unit components.

With Baku’s long straights, tight old-city section and walls waiting around every corner, there is plenty of opportunity for the race to turn on its head. Can Russell convert pole into victory, or will Antonelli fight back from 16th? 

Join us for live coverage of the 2026 Azerbaijan GP.

FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2026

Ended
Ended 26 September, 2026, 3:28 pmUpdated

Coverage has ended

Annika Rosler

That’s a wrap on the action on the streets of Baku

Thank you so much for joining us for our Azerbaijan GP live blog. We’ll bring any post-race news on our socials, so don’t forget to head on over and give us a like!

We’ll be back next weekend to bring you all the action from the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. 

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Finishing order for the Race at Baku



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This just in

Franco Colapinto has been given a 10-second grid penalty for causing the collision


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Mercedes wins and Double Podium for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP


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GEORGE RUSSELL WINS THE AZERBAIJAN GP

He was unstoppable all weekend, and he controlled the race from lights to flag and two restarts

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Cadillac bringing out the last yellow flag of the race

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2 laps to go with several battles going on

George and Max battling for the lead
Bearman is chasing Lindblad for P8
Sainz is chasing Bearman for P9

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No further investigation for Max

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What a move by Lindblad on Bearman and taking P8!

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Bortoleto under investigation for yellow flag infringement

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Kimi has floor damage

He probably got it during the second restart

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Max is noted for failing to follow the race directors instructions

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No further investigation for Lindblad and Lawson

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Haas drivers are told to race clean

Haas is currently P7 and P8. Both drivers told not to fight each other to much, keep it clean and bring it home

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3 drivers out after the Turn 1 collision during the first restart



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Crash at the restart!

Safety Car out, and Lando Norris is out of the race as he was caught out by the lockup and the Alpines coming together


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Trouble for Red Bull?

Isack reported some Vibration issues, which the team is monitoring.