13:33
And once again, Russell gets that gap to Verstappen to 0.9s through the middle sector.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Azerbaijan GP
© XPB Images
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix as it happened
Live coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Russell wins Baku race by 0.1s from Verstappen
- Safety car on lap 35 after multi-car crash
- Safety car on lap 30 for Albon crash
The 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix concludes on Saturday 26 September with the race, as Mercedes' George Russell starts from pole.
The 15th round of the 2026 campaign sees Andrea Kimi Antonelli start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 81 points clear in the standings of Mercedes team-mate George Russell, following back-to-back wins at Monza and Madrid.
But the British driver has had the measure of Antonelli all weekend so far, with Russell dominating for pole as his team-mate crashed in Q1 and could not advance on 16th.
Russell appears to be overwhelming favourite to win the Baku race today, which could reignite his title hopes if Antonelli cannot make big gains from his lowly starting position.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will be hoping to challenge Russell in the early stages from second on the grid, as McLaren's Oscar Piastri goes from third.
Isack Hadjar impressed for Red Bull, as he put his car fourth on the grid in his first race since before the summer break, having been absent from the last three rounds due to a hand injury.
Team-mate Max Verstappen looked like Russell's biggest pole threat at the start of qualifying, but an engine issue meant he could do no more than eighth. The Dutchman has taken fresh power unit components for the race, but they come from his pool, meaning he will not drop down the order.
The slipstream has proven to be immensely powerful this weekend, which means overtaking down the massive main straight is likely to be plentiful during the race.
Safety cars are always a high possibility at Baku.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
Race - 12pm BST
26 Sep 2026
13:32
Lap 46/51
Start of lap 46 and no change. Verstappen closes on the brakes to Turn 1, but he's just not close enough in the middle sector to make that count in the final sector.
13:30
Verstappen has been noted for failing to follow the race directors' instructions.
13:30
Lap 45/51
Russell holds Verstappen at bay into Turn 1 to start lap 45.
13:29
Every time we get to the middle sector, Russell is about a second ahead. Verstappen needs to be about 0.7s behind to get an overtake on here.
13:29
Russell again sets the fastest first sector.
13:28
Lap 44/51
Russell's lead is under half a second at the start of this lap, but he's doing what he needs to to keep Verstappen at bay.
13:28
Verstappen is within overtake mode range, but it won't be enough.
13:27
Russell just put in the fastest first sector of the race.
13:26
Lap 43/51
Russell is doing everything he needs to at the front. Verstappen can only get as close as 0.6s down into Turn 1.
Behind, Antonelli takes fifth from Hamilton at Turn 1.
13:25
Lap 42/51
Russell leads Verstappen onto lap 42.
Antonelli had a look at Hamilton into Turn 1 but couldn't get the move done.
13:24
Verstappen has dropped out of overtake gap in the middle sector.
13:23
Lap 41/51
It's as you were at the front. Russell leads Verstappen, who closed in a bit. But he needs to find something in the middle sector to really pressure the Mercedes.
13:22
Russell is breaking Verstappen more here. He's got the gap up to a second.
13:21
Lap 40/51
Russell leads into lap 40 as Piastri locks up at Turn 1 and lets Hadjar into third.
Piastri is now out of the points. Same error as Norris. Antonelli now up to sixth.
13:20
Just 16 cars remain in this race.
13:20
A replay of the restart chaos a few laps ago.
13:19
Russell holds the lead into Turn 1 from Verstappen as Piastri keeps third from Hadjar.
13:19
Lap 39/51
We are racing again in Baku after a second safety car!
13:18
Colapinto has apologised to the team for his collision.
13:18
Top 10 now is:
- Russell
- Verstappen
- Piastri
- Hadjar
- Leclerc
- Hamilton
- Antonelli
- Ocon
- Bearman
- Lindblad
13:17
Safety car is ending.
13:17
Gasly is out, by the way. That's a double points finish thrown away for Alpine.
13:17
Here's the aftermath of that Turn 1 chaos.
13:16
Colapinto is back into the pits, but his car is too damaged to continue.