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!
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
12:24
Lap 12/51
Russell continues to lead, his gap now almost six seconds.
12:23
Verstappen wanted to have a look on the inside of Piastri into Turn 3, but the McLaren covered that off.
12:22
Lap 11/51
No change at the front onto lap 11.
Verstappen closes right in on Piastri again.
12:21
"I'm not sure these mediums are very good", Verstappen says on the radio. That is concerning.
12:21
Antonelli takes Ocon at Turn 1 for 13th.
12:21
Lap 10/51
Russell's lead extends to 4.6s over Piastri onto lap 10.
Verstappen has dropped a bit, but I suspect that's an energy management thing rather than a change in pace.
12:19
Lance Stroll stopped
Lance Stroll has stopped his Aston Martin at Turn 15.
He is the first retirement. No yellow flags, though.
12:19
Lap 9/51
Russell leads by 4.1s onto lap nine.
Verstappen closes again on Piastri.
12:18
Interestingly, Russell's mediums are two laps older than those behind him. So, that wasn't a new set he started on, but tyre deg is so low that it won't make a huge difference.
If anything, that probably helped him switch on his pace a lot quicker in these early laps.
12:18
Verstappen closes in again on Piastri into Turn 3, but no way through just yet.
Piastri is starting to struggle with his rear tyres, he tells his team. Seems like only a matter of time before the Red Bull comes through.
12:17
Lap 8/51
Russell leads by 3.6s over Piastri, while Verstappen is within overtake mode of Piastri.
12:16
Antonelli is now 14th on lap seven.
12:16
Russell is 3.2s clear of Piastri, so he's not breaking away big time just yet. But Verstappen holds the fastest lap. If he can clear the McLaren quickly, then Mercedes will have a headache on its hands.
12:15
Lap 7/51
Onto lap seven. Verstappen eases by Hadjar - that was engineered a little, with Hadjar warned that "race time is a priority".
But that was smart. Verstappen now third.
12:15
The Ferraris, both on soft tyres, have no pace right now. Leclerc is fifth while Hamilton is losing touch in seventh.
12:14
Verstappen is the fastest driver on track now and he's right behind his team-mate. Does Red Bull have to move Hadjar out of the way now to avoid time loss?
If Red Bull moves now, there is a chance they can still win this grand prix.
12:13
Lap 6/51
Russell's lead is up to 3.1s from Piastri now. Hadjar and Verstappen are closing.
12:13
Antonelli is 15th as of lap five. His progress has not been great so far.
12:13
On lap five, the order is:
- Russell
- Piastri
- Hadjar
- Verstappen
- Leclerc
- Norris
- Hamilton
- Gasly
- Colapinto
- Lawson
12:12
Start replay
Start replay.
12:12
Lap 5/51
Verstappen eases by Leclerc into Turn 1.
Russell now the fastest driver on track in the lead.
12:11
"Oscar, these Red Bulls could be a problem".
McLaren tells Piastri where his race is this afternoon.
12:11
Antonelli now back up to 16th but he's not making much progress.
12:10
Hadjar and Verstappen are on different tyres, but they are both flying. Hadjar fastest driver on track.