George Russell delivered a dominant qualifying performance in Baku to secure pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing more than eight tenths of a second clear of his nearest rival.
The session proved far more difficult for championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver hit the inside barrier at Turn 1 during Q1, damaging his suspension and bringing his qualifying run to an early end. His earlier lap time was still quick enough to place him inside the top 15 and technically earn a spot in Q2, but the damage meant he was unable to return to the track.
2026 Azerbaijan GP qualifying results
1 George Russell (Mercedes) 1m42.526s
2 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.837s
3 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.838s
4 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.974s
5 Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.146s
6 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +1.332s
7 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.521s
8 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.555s
9 Carlos Sainz (Williams) +2.040s
10 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +2.437s
11 Ollie Bearman (Haas) +0.092s to Q3
12 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.177s
13 Alexander Albon (Williams) +0.318s
14 Esteban Ocon (Haas) +0.333s
15 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.423s
16 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) no time
17 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +0.295s to Q2
18 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +0.416s
19 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +1.089s
20 Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +1.154s
21 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1.833s
22 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +2.497s
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