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George Russell tops Azerbaijan GP first practice session

News›Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026

George Russell tops Azerbaijan GP first practice session

f1oversteer.com+ 9 moreThu 24 Sep · 09:31 UTCupdated Sat 26 Sep · 09:53 UTCHave your say

Image via f1oversteer.com

The story so farNeutral summary generated from 10 sources

George Russell achieved the fastest time in the first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen. His teammate Kimi Antonelli faced a hydraulic issue that cut his session short.

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2026 season · round 16 next — Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaSeason overview →

Andrea Kimi Antonelli302 2

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Results Azerbaijan Grand Prix 1

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Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

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Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedes 2

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Lando NorrisMcLaren 5CLCharles LeclercFerrari

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1MMercedes538 pts 2FFerrari378 pts 3MMcLaren306 pts 4RBRed Bull263 pts 5RTRB F1 Team83 pts 6ATAlpine F1 Team68 pts 7HTHaas F1 Team27 pts 8AAudi17 pts 9WWilliams12 pts 10AMAston Martin3 pts 11CTCadillac F1 Team0 pts

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First to report

George Russell fastest in Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP1 as Kimi Antonelli and McLaren plagued by issuesGeorge Russell has started the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend on top, after the Mercedes driver posted the fastest lap time around Baku’s streets ...

f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 09:31 UTCRead their report →

George Russell seizes early control as Kimi Antonelli plagued by FP1 issue in BakuGeorge Russell took advantage of Kimi Antonelli's truncated first free practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, comfortably going fastest in Baku.

RacingNews365Thu 24 Sep · 09:34 UTCRead →

F1 Azerbaijan GP: Russell fastest in first practice as Antonelli's Mercedes breaks downMercedes driver George Russell led Max Verstappen in first free practice at Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli hit trouble. Russell's 1m45.387s lap, set with 20 minutes to go in the one-hour session, was comfortably enough to hold off the competition as his Mercedes team-mate disappeared from the session early, with Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounding out the top ... Keep reading

AutosportThu 24 Sep · 09:35 UTCRead →

Early drama for Kimi Antonelli in Baku F1 practice as George Russell fastestGeorge Russell tops FP1 as Kimi Antonelli breaks down in Baku.

CrashThu 24 Sep · 09:38 UTCRead →

Russell fastest as hydraulic problem halts Antonelli in first practice | Formula 1George Russell led the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix while a technical problem delayed his team mate.

RaceFansThu 24 Sep · 09:39 UTCRead →

Russell fastest in Baku as Antonelli stops on trackMercedes driver George Russell heads Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

BBC SportThu 24 Sep · 09:44 UTCRead →

George Russell fastest in Baku as FP1 turns into reliability testGeorge Russell topped an Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP1 that was more a reliability test than a practice session: a brake fire, a dead Red Bull, a smoking Mercedes, two virtual safety cars and a McLaren held together with a cable tie.

Motorsport WeekThu 24 Sep · 09:56 UTCRead →

Russell fastest in Azerbaijan FP1 as Antonelli suffers issueGeorge Russell finished fastest in Free Practice 1 ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver leading Max Verstappen as Kimi Antonelli's session was cut short by a mechanical issue.

Formula1.comThu 24 Sep · 09:59 UTCRead →

Russell fastest as Antonelli suffers reliability issues in Baku first practiceGeorge Russell was fastest in first practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as championship leader Kimi Antonelli stopped on track with a hydraulics issue.

Sky Sports F1Thu 24 Sep · 10:00 UTCRead →

Russell sets pace in FP1 in Baku, Antonelli outGeorge Russell got his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend off to a good start after he topped the first practice session, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli was forced to end his session early.

espn.comThu 24 Sep · 10:39 UTCRead →

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In this story

GRGeorge RussellFollow IgnoreCLCharles LeclercFollow IgnoreMVMax VerstappenFollow IgnoreCPCarlos PaceFollow IgnoreAAAndrea Kimi AntonelliFollow IgnoreFFerrariFollow IgnoreMMcLarenFollow IgnoreMMercedesFollow IgnoreRBRed BullFollow IgnoreBCBaku City CircuitFollow Ignore

Related stories

Antonelli's Baku woes: 'Worst' weekend of seasonKimi Antonelli described the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as his 'worst' race weekend despite finishing fifth after starting from 16th on the grid. He gained 11 places during the race, but his teammate George Russell's victory reduced Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points with eight races remaining this season. Antonelli faced challenges throughout the weekend, including a hydraulic leak that disrupted his practice sessions. He acknowledged that he was not at his best during the race, opting for a conservative approach to avoid damage. Antonelli is looking to bounce back at the upcoming race in Sepang on October 4.

espn.comSat 26 Sep

'I was driving like my grandma' - Antonelli admits to lack of confidenceKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 championship, expressed a lack of confidence during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating he was driving 'like his grandmother.' Despite starting from 16th due to a qualifying crash, he managed to recover to finish fifth, but his lead over teammate George Russell was reduced to 66 points as Russell claimed victory. Antonelli faced challenges throughout the race, including technical issues that limited his practice time and significant floor damage from contact with another car. He acknowledged that he had to adapt his driving style due to the circumstances, taking fewer risks and capitalising on mistakes made by other drivers. Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.

Sky Sports F1Sat 26 Sep

Norris hits out after Baku pile-up DNF with AlpineLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a collision caused by Franco Colapinto. Following the incident, Norris stated that there are drivers who do not belong in Formula 1, implying that Colapinto's actions were unacceptable. The crash occurred during a Safety Car restart on lap 36, leading to both Norris and Pierre Gasly retiring from the race. Colapinto acknowledged his mistake and accepted responsibility, apologising to his team and teammates. He received a 10-second time penalty, which will affect his grid position in the next race. Gasly, visibly upset, highlighted the significant points lost due to the incident, while also emphasising the importance of respect in their working relationship.

espn.comSat 26 Sep

Briatore to reflect on necessary action after Colapinto's "poor" Baku blunderFlavio Briatore, the Alpine Formula 1 chief, expressed his disappointment with Franco Colapinto's actions during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Colapinto collided with his teammate Pierre Gasly, resulting in both drivers retiring from the race. Briatore described the incident as a 'very poor move' and acknowledged the loss of valuable championship points for the team. Colapinto's crash occurred during a restart on lap 36, where he locked his front tyres and crashed into Gasly, also affecting Lando Norris. Briatore stated that he would reflect on the incident and consider necessary actions to prevent similar occurrences in the future, while Colapinto has taken full responsibility for his mistake.

AutosportSat 26 Sep

Alpine's Flavio Briatore rips into Franco Colapinto's Baku blunder: "A very poor move"Flavio Briatore, the Alpine Formula 1 chief, expressed his disappointment with Franco Colapinto after the latter crashed into his teammate Pierre Gasly during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred on lap 36 during a safety car restart, resulting in both drivers being taken out of the race and costing Alpine a potential double points finish. Lando Norris, who was also involved in the crash, called for the FIA to consider a race ban for Colapinto's careless driving. Briatore stated that such incidents should not happen, especially when both cars were in scoring positions. He acknowledged that Colapinto has accepted responsibility for the crash and described it as a significant mistake for a driver of his experience. Briatore is now contemplating the next steps to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future, as Alpine aims to learn from this setback.

Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep

6

MV

Max VerstappenRed Bull

Oscar PiastriMcLaren

Isack HadjarRed Bull

Liam LawsonRB F1 Team

Pierre GaslyAlpine F1 Team

11ALArvid LindbladRB F1 Team

Franco ColapintoAlpine F1 Team

Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team

Gabriel BortoletoAudi

Nico HülkenbergAudi

Esteban OconHaas F1 Team

17CSCarlos SainzWilliams

Alexander AlbonWilliams

Fernando AlonsoAston Martin

Yuki TsunodaRB F1 Team

Lance StrollAston Martin

Valtteri BottasCadillac F1 Team

23SPSergio PérezCadillac F1 Team

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