12:50
Russell's lead is up to 10 seconds now. There's absolutely nothing stopping him right now.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Azerbaijan GP
© XPB Images
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F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Race updates as Albon crash brings out safety car
Live coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix is underway
- Safety car on lap 30 for Albon crash
- Red Bull making strategy blunder
- George Russell leads from pole
- Antonelli 16th after Q1 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
12:49
Lap 26/51
No change at the front onto lap 26.
12:48
Russell says he "nibbled the wall" and is asking his team to keep an eye on pressures.
12:48
Lap 25/51
Russell carries on his Sunday (er... Saturday) drive at the front.
Piastri holds second from Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Gasly, Antonelli, Colapinto.
12:47
Think that's probably a mistake from Red Bull. Second is possible here.
12:47
Hadjar is told he's on the best race tyres, "so look after it". Basically, Red Bull says 'we're not inverting', so hold steady.
12:46
Lap 24/51
Russell ticks off another lap in the lead.
Piastri has about 0.7s over Verstappen, as the Red Bull stalemate continues.
12:44
Lap 23/51
Russell's lead is over nine seconds now and is the fastest driver on track again.
Antonelli takes ninth from Colapinto into Turn 1.
12:43
Hadjar wants a swap to happen now. Red Bull is verging into Ferrari strategy territory here. Feels similar to Zandvoort between Hamilton and Leclerc.
12:42
Alonso retires
Alonso's race is over. He's retired in the pits.
12:42
Lap 22/51
Russell leads onto lap 22.
No change behind him.
12:42
Alonso pits.
12:42
Verstappen has lost overtake on Piastri.
12:41
Sainz pits for soft tyres.
12:41
Hadjar says "OK, but I have pace, just in case". So, he wants a swap now. He's been told Verstappen is struggling on these tyres.
12:40
Lap 21/51
Russell is now 8.5s clear at the front.
Piastri is holding second well, while Verstappen has dropped back again towards Hadjar.
12:40
But this isn't working for Red Bull and Verstappen now, so the team needs to do something, whether that's swap cars or pit Verstappen.
12:39
The soft tyre is working better than expected.
Hadjar is saying on the radio "tell him to keep pushing" about Verstappen.
12:39
Verstappen says "these tyres are not good".
12:39
Lap 20/51
Onto lap 20 and Verstappen is having to defend from Hadjar now into Turn 1. Red Bull needs to swap these guys now.
12:37
Leclerc is pretty lonely in fifth right now, while Hamilton is finally ahead of Norris for sixth. Gasly, Colapinto and Antonelli complete the top 10.
12:37
Lap 19/51
Russell goes onto lap 19. Verstappen is still no closer to getting ahead of Piastri.
12:36
Looks like there's a lot of fluid on Verstappen's halo. He's been ditching tear-offs quite a lot in this race.
12:35
Lap 18/51
Russell's lead creeps towards eight seconds over Piastri, with Verstappen and Hadjar close behind.
12:34
The problem Verstappen has is Piastri is on the softer tyre, so with every lap he's stuck behind, he's wasting the longevity of his medium.