12:54
Audi will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the issue that struck Hulkenberg, as it looks to put more miles on its big upgrade package.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2026 Azerbaijan GP
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F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice as it happened
Live updates from Thursday's practices at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix from Baku
KEY MOMENTS
- Russell fastest in FP2
- New engine for Antonelli
- Russell fastest in FP1
The 15th round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship takes place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the Baku street circuit.
This weekend’s race at Baku marks the beginning of a frantic run to the end of the campaign, with three triple-headers scheduled between now and 6 December.
The Azerbaijan race, which first featured on the calendar in 2016, has become a popular fixture during a season for its generally chaotic races.
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli holds a commanding lead in the championship, following back-to-back victories at Monza and Madrid.
He is now 81 points clear of the field, with team-mate George Russell his nearest rival in runner-up spot currently.
Mercedes has won three times at Baku, though not since 2019 with Valtteri Bottas. But the power-demanding track is likely to favour the Mercedes engine.
Red Bull has been dominant at Baku, winning four of the last five races in Azerbaijan, but comes to the grand prix this season still chasing a first victory in 2026.
The Red Bull Ford power unit performed well at Monza and Spa, both tracks where a strong engine is important.
Red Bull returns to full strength this weekend, after Isack Hadjar was cleared to race following a hand injury that ruled him out of the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix.
Ferrari comes to Baku looking to end its recent podium drought, with the Scuderia not appearing on a rostrum since the Belgian Grand Prix.
Carrying a recently updated power unit, there is a feeling that Ferrari could be a contender at Baku, though much will depend on improving its recent struggles with race management.
McLaren will also be hoping to benefit from its Mercedes power unit to build on its win from 2024 with Oscar Piastri.
This year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix is being staged from Thursday to Saturday, instead of the traditional Friday-Sunday format.
This is due to the country’s Remembrance Day on Sunday.
Azerbaijan GP Thursday schedule
FP1 - 9:30am BST - 10:30am BST
FP2 - 1pm BST - 2pm BST
24 Sep 2026
12:53
George Russell was fastest in FP1 for Mercedes, as team-mate Kimi Antonelli suffered a hydraulics issue.
12:46
We're just 15 minutes from pitlane opening for FP2.
12:44
F1 sets decision deadline for Middle East rounds as Lewis Hamilton backs racing in region
F1 has outlined when the latest it can make a decision on racing in the Middle East this year.
F1 sets decision deadline for Middle East rounds as Lewis Hamilton backs racing in region
2025 F1 Abu Dhabi GP
© XPB Images
12:21
A unique view of the action at Baku 😳
12:14
Aston Martin apparently topped the speed charts at Baku last year. Would be quite something if it did so again in 2026!
12:12
Azerbaijan FP2 - build-up
Good afternoon and welcome back to our live coverage of the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
FP2 is coming up at 1pm BST, so in just under 50 minutes.
10:53
FP2 will begin at 1pm BST this afternoon, but keep your eyes on Crash.net and on this blog for all of the latest from the Baku paddock until then.
10:46
2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Full Thursday practice results in Baku
Full results from Thursday’s practice sessions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Full Thursday practice results in Baku
2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
© XPB Images
10:30
Chequered flag - FP1
The chequered flag is out at the end of FP1.
George Russell is fastest with a 1m45.387s ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli suffered an early breakdown.
Full results and report to follow...
10:27
Green flag
The green flag is waving again with just over two minutes to go.
10:26
Lindblad has been able to reverse out of his stop. But Hulkenberg, at Turn 4, is being recovered.
10:26
Arvid Lindblad is stopped down at Turn 6. Nico Hulkenberg has also stopped on track.
10:25
Virtual Safety Car
The VSC has been called again.
10:24
Lando Norris is out on track in his McLaren with a cable tie keeping a bargeboard in place for now. Never forget that F1 is a highly technical sport...
10:22
Piastri is still stuck in the McLaren garage. Not sure he'll make it back out for any more running in FP1.
10:19
Verstappen has gone back to the hard tyre for the final 11 minutes of this session.
10:14
Russell had a slipstream on his best lap on soft tyres. Leclerc is about 0.4s from Russell's time without having a slipstream, and on a slower tyre. Very early days, but that's encouraging from Ferrari.
10:13
Leclerc is now third on medium rubber, while Hamilton is fourth on medium tyres.
Piastri, meanwhile, is back in the pits having more work done on his McLaren.
10:12
Just under 20 minutes to go:
- Russell
- Verstappen
- Antonelli
- Hamilton
- Leclerc
- Hulkenberg
- Piastri
- Lawson
- Gasly
- Lindblad
- Colapinto
- Norris
- Bearman
- Hadjar
- Albon
- Sainz
- Alonso
- Perez
- Bortoleto
- Stroll
- Ocon
- Bottas
10:10
Russell got a good tow from Alonso down the main straight on that lap.
10:10
Russell takes Mercedes to the top of the pile now with a 1m45.387s.
10:08
Hadjar's return has been a bit of a nightmare. Hadjar is not going to be coming back out in FP1.
10:07
No soft tyres yet for Ferrari. Hamilton and Leclerc are fourth and fifth currently on medium rubber. Looks promising so far.
10:07
Leclerc had a run-on at Turn 1 a few moments ago.