09:56
But Hamilton is now back on top with a 1m45.093s in the Ferrari. Just 0.2s separates the top two on different tyres.
Goes to show that Ferrari probably needs to find some more, while the tow is hugely powerful here.
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
09:56
Verstappen goes top now with a 1m45.329s on medium tyres with the use of a tow.
09:55
Antonelli has just reported his "first gust of the day", after running wide at Turn 16 on his push lap.
09:54
Antonelli and Russell jump up to third and fourth in the Mercedes on medium tyres.
09:52
Verstappen puts in a 1m47.214s on medium tyres.
09:51
Charles Leclerc goes even quicker, though, with a 1m45.564s.
09:50
Lewis Hamilton goes fastest on soft tyres with a 1m46.168s.
09:49
Norris is on his way out of the pits again. So, whatever it was, it wasn't serious.
09:48
Norris has been called into the pits because McLaren needs to change something on his car.
09:47
This picture of Gasly perfectly highlights how much more debris there is on track this morning.
09:45
Gasly improves at the top of the standings with a 1m47.714s.
09:45
Liam Lawson has a big lock-up into Turn 1. We saw that a bit yesterday, but with the win, that will be something we see more of.
09:42
Very briefly, we've had a VSC, but it's already being withdrawn. Not quite sure what that was for just yet.
09:41
Gasly, on mediums, has improved to a 1m48.295s ahead of Colapinto and Bottas.
09:41
Quite a few more cars on track, with a lot of them on soft tyres.
09:38
Ollie Bearman for Haas is also now out on track.
09:37
Gasly sets the reference lap at 1m50.582s.
Valtteri Bottas in the Audi and Arvid Lindblad in his rebuilt Racing Bull are on track now.
09:37
Still just the two Alpines on track just now.
09:35
Definitely a lot more debris from the trees on the circuit this morning.
09:34
Franco Colapinto has gone out behind his team-mate now, too.
09:34
Hooray! Pierre Gasly is the first driver on track in the Alpine. He's gone out on medium tyres.
09:33
I think, with the added wind, everyone would rather let someone else go out and do the exploration for them. Unfortunately, that means we have a stand-off.
09:32
Lewis Hamilton is climbing into his Ferrari, so hopefully we'll get some cars on track soon.
09:32
I think this suits George, to be honest 🌼
09:30
And nobody has rushed out.