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.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Azerbaijan GP
© XPB Images
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Russell beats Verstappen by 0.1s!
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
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.
12:34
So, does Red Bull feel Verstappen cannot get by Piastri on his own?
12:33
Lap 17/51
Russell continues to lead at the start of lap 17.
Hadjar, meanwhile, says he can go 0.3s faster than Verstappen in clean air, but suggests he's happy to be where he is for now.
12:32
Norris ran wide into Turn 6 but just about keeps Hamilton at bay.
12:31
Hamilton looks like he's beginning to pressure Norris for sixth.
12:31
Lap 16/51
Russell starts lap 16 and is reporting that the wind has picked up.
No change behind him.
12:31
Outside of the top 10:
- Antonelli
- Lawson
- Albon
- Ocon
- Lindblad
- Hulkenberg
- Sainz
- Bortoleto
- Perez
- Bottas
- Alonso
12:30
Lap 15/51
Russell's lead is up to over seven seconds now.
This race is starting to slip away from Red Bull. Verstappen needs to get this move done now.
12:29
The McLaren just seems to have an edge over Verstappen in the middle sector.
12:28
Lap 14/51
Russell is now 6.9s clear of Piastri, while Verstappen just cannot advance on third.
12:27
Top 10:
- Russell
- Piastri
- Verstappen
- Hadjar
- Leclerc
- Norris
- Hamilton
- Gasly
- Colapinto
- Bearman
12:26
Antonelli is now knocking on the points in 11th.
12:26
Lap 13/51
Russell's lead is now over six seconds.
Piastri holds second, Verstappen can't get close enough to pull a move off, and that dirty air is clearly killing his tyres.
12:25
Antonelli is now ahead of Albon for 12th.
12:25
Norris is told Perez in 19th is 21.8s behind him, so looking for the pit window.
Bottas and Alonso are having shockers. They're already 20s behind 19th!
12:24
Lap 12/51
Russell continues to lead, his gap now almost six seconds.