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Verstappen tops final practice ahead of Azerbaijan GP

News›Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026

Verstappen tops final practice ahead of Azerbaijan GP

Crash+ 7 moreFri 25 Sep · 09:38 UTCupdated Fri 25 Sep · 11:59 UTCHave your say

Image via Crash

The story so farNeutral summary generated from 8 sources

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell. Lewis Hamilton also featured prominently, finishing third as Red Bull and Mercedes prepared for qualifying.

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First to report

Max Verstappen outpaces George Russell in Azerbaijan GP final practiceMax Verstappen tops FP3 ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

CrashFri 25 Sep · 09:38 UTCRead their report →

F1 Azerbaijan GP: Verstappen beats Russell and Hamilton to top FP3Red Bull's Max Verstappen has surprisingly topped third and final practice for Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, pipping Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton on Baku's tricky street circuit. Verstappen took command at the very end of the one-hour session as teams switched to qualifying runs, defying Mercedes' favourite status in Baku by catching a big slipstream to go ... Keep reading

AutosportFri 25 Sep · 09:38 UTCRead →

Verstappen leads close final practice session in Baku ahead of Russell and Hamilton | Formula 1Max Verstappen denied George Russell a clean sweep of all three practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

RaceFansFri 25 Sep · 09:43 UTCRead →

Azerbaijan GP: Verstappen tops eventful final practice from RussellMax Verstappen sprung a surprise in the final minutes of Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice, edging Mercedes’ George Russell...

F1iFri 25 Sep · 09:51 UTCRead →

Verstappen beats Russell and Hamilton in Azerbaijan FP3Max Verstappen denied George Russell a clean sweep of fastest practice times ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as the Red Bull driver finished quickest in Free Practice 3.

Formula1.comFri 25 Sep · 10:01 UTCRead →

Verstappen usurps Russell in error-filled final practice ahead of 1pm QualifyingMax Verstappen denied George Russell a clean sweep of fastest practice times as Red Bull led a renewed challenge to the Mercedes drivers ahead of Qualifying later on Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Sky Sports F1Fri 25 Sep · 10:04 UTCRead →

Verstappen sets pace in FP3 in Baku, Russell 2ndRed Bull's Max Verstappen pipped George Russell to the line in the closing stages of the final practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

espn.comFri 25 Sep · 10:46 UTCRead →

Verstappen takes charge in third F1 practice session at BakuMax Verstappen has prevented a Mercedes practice clean sweep after topping FP3 ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.racer.comFri 25 Sep · 11:15 UTCRead →

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In this story

GRGeorge RussellFollow IgnoreMVMax VerstappenFollow IgnoreCPCarlos PaceFollow IgnoreLHLewis HamiltonFollow IgnoreFFerrariFollow 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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