13:02
There are three minutes to go till pitlane opens but everyone is keen to get out there.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Azerbaijan GP
© XPB Images
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying reaction after Antonelli crash
Live updates from FP3 and qualifying at the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Russell takes Baku pole
- Antonelli is out of qualifying after crash
- Russell fastest in Q1 and Q2
The 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix continues on Friday with final practice and qualifying at the Baku street circuit.
Mercedes driver George Russell led both practice sessions on Thursday in Azerbaijan, as he looks to close down an 81-point deficit to his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings.
It was a harder day for Antonelli, who suffered a hydraulics issue in FP1 and missed crucial track time. Despite this, he was able to finish second overall at the end of FP2.
Mercedes looks to be the team to beat at Baku, with McLaren's Lando Norris offering a particularly glum outlook for himself and his upgraded car after finishing sixth at the end of FP2.
Just under 1.5s from Russell's best time, Norris said his lack of pace was like "a knife in the heart".
Red Bull looks competitive, with Max Verstappen third on Thursday, though it will need to make a step if it has any hope of catching up to Mercedes.
Ferrari was in the mix in fourth and fifth at the end of practice yesterday, though it doesn't yet look like being able to get in on the pole battle coming up later today.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad comes into the second day of the Azerbaijan weekend having crashed in FP2 at the castle section. His shunt brought out a brief red flag.
The Briton did something similar in Madrid, and it ultimately curtailed what was shaping up to be a strong weekend.
Further back, Aston Martin faces a combined 45-place grid penalty for its drivers after taking on various new power unit components for this weekend. But Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished at the back of the field anyway at the end of FP2.
Friday Azerbaijan GP schedule
FP3 - 9:30am BST - 10:30am BST
Qualifying - 1pm BST - 2pm BST
25 Sep 2026
13:04
Q1 - green flag
Pitlane is open for Q1.
13:01
Session will start in four minutes.
12:58
Session delayed
Qualifying has been delayed due to track cleaning.
Won't be a long delay, though, according to the FIA.
12:58
Could we see a first Lewis Hamilton pole of the season today?
12:56
If this is your first F1 qualifying, welcome!
This is split into three segments. The slowest six drivers will get knocked out in Q1, while only the fastest 10 drivers at the end of Q2 will progress to Q3.
12:53
How are Mercedes feeling ahead of this session?
12:48
Conditions have definitely cooled off compared to this morning's session. Track temp is just above 40C, while air temp is just under 25C.
Gusts were especially a problem in FP3.
12:47
Baku qualifying tactics
One thing that will be vital in qualifying today will be track position, because a tow has proven to be hugely powerful this weekend at Baku.
Race engineers will have to try and time their drivers' runs to coincide with catching traffic out of the last corner onto the back straight.
12:45
Just 15 minutes to go until qualifying starts!
12:42
Furry spectator
This cat has bagged itself a prime viewing position. Though I hope it finds a slightly safer vantage point for qualifying 😬
12:39
Last year's Baku qualifying was interrupted by six red flags. We've only seen one stoppage so far this weekend, which was for Arvid Lindblad's barrier tangle on Thursday.
12:37
Pole today for Red Bull and Verstappen would be their first since the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
12:34
Mercedes power has dominated qualifying so far this season. In the last 14 rounds, no other power unit manufacturer has claimed pole.
The Mercedes team has 10 poles, McLaren has three, while Alpine has one.
Russell had looked fastest until final practice
12:30
Max Verstappen and Red Bull set the pace in FP3, snapping Mercedes' dominance of the sessions so far this weekend.
Let's see if that will continue in qualifying.
Max Verstappen signed a new Red Bull deal through to 2030
12:26
F2 is out on track just now for its first feature race of the weekend. But they won't be doing much in the way to clean up the track, because there is still a lot of leaves and dust being blown about.
12:25
Qualifying build-up
Good afternoon and welcome back to live coverage of the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Qualifying is coming up in just over 30 minutes.
10:59
Christian Horner to Ferrari? Never say never
Christian Horner has opened the door to a move back to F1 with Ferrari.
Christian Horner open to shock F1 return with Ferrari: “It’s the dream”
Christian Horner has admitted Ferrari is "the dream"
10:44
Qualifying is up next at 1pm BST. Until then, keep your eyes on Crash.net and on this blog for all of the latest from the Baku paddock.
10:43
Report: Max Verstappen outpaces George Russell in Azerbaijan GP final practice
Max Verstappen tops FP3 ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen outpaces George Russell in Azerbaijan GP final practice
Max Verstappen signed a new Red Bull deal through to 2030
10:41
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Full practice results in Baku after FP3
Full results from all three practice sessions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following Friday's FP3.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Full practice results in Baku after FP3
Williams has brought a major upgrade to Baku
10:31
Chequered flag
The chequered flag is out and Max Verstappen ends final practice fastest with a 1m43.922s from Russell and Hamilton.
Full report and results to follow...
10:29
Leclerc off
Charles Leclerc has gone off at Turn 7, just as Russell did a few minutes ago.
10:29
Verstappen glanced the wall at Turn 15 on that lap.
10:28
Verstappen now goes fastest with a 1m43.922s, this time without a tow. Impressive lap.