Carlos PaceCharles LeclercGeorge RussellLando Norris 
via racer.comVerstappen takes charge in third F1 practice session at BakuMax Verstappen secured the fastest time in the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Despite gusty conditions, Verstappen managed a session-best time of 1m 43.922s, showcasing competitive performance throughout the hour.
Russell initially led the session before Verstappen's late effort, while Hamilton's strong slipstreaming helped him achieve a high speed of 320kph. Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli in fourth and Pierre Gasly in sixth, while Sergio Perez struggled, finishing 16th. The session was marked by challenging wind conditions that affected several drivers.
racer.comFri 25 Sep · 11:15 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen beats Russell and Hamilton in Azerbaijan FP3Max Verstappen secured the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1 minute 43.922 seconds. He edged out George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who finished second and third respectively, as drivers pushed their limits on the challenging Baku circuit.
The session saw several drivers struggle with the windy conditions, leading to multiple incidents, including Lance Stroll damaging his Aston Martin after hitting the wall. Despite the challenges, Verstappen's performance placed him in a strong position ahead of the qualifying session later in the day.
Formula1.comFri 25 Sep · 10:01 UTC
via the-race.comWhat happened in F1 2026 Azerbaijan GP final practiceIn the final practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen of Red Bull emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time of 1m43.922s. He edged out Mercedes' George Russell, who was just 0.099 seconds slower, while Lewis Hamilton claimed third place, 0.111 seconds off Verstappen's pace. Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc completed the top five, showcasing a competitive session.
The session was marked by tight competition, with only half a second separating positions 10th to 17th. Oscar Piastri led the McLaren team in seventh, while Fernando Alonso struggled in 20th place. Lance Stroll experienced a notable incident when he clipped the pitwall, adding to the drama of the session. Overall, the practice highlighted the close racing expected for the upcoming Grand Prix.
the-race.comFri 25 Sep · 09:59 UTC
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen denies George Russell clean sweep in F1 Baku FP3Max Verstappen claimed the fastest time in Free Practice 3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, narrowly beating George Russell by 0.099 seconds. This victory prevented Russell from achieving a clean sweep of the practice sessions, as he had dominated the earlier sessions with a Mercedes 1-2 finish alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The final practice session was marked by chaotic conditions, with several drivers struggling with grip and making mistakes. Verstappen's late push saw him rise to the top of the leaderboard, while Hamilton and Antonelli also showed strong performances. The session set the stage for a competitive qualifying ahead.
Motorsport WeekFri 25 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via f1oversteer.com‘Alarm bells’ ring at Ferrari after hearing what Oliver Bearman said about Baku engine failureFerrari are concerned for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after hearing what Haas’ Oliver Bearman said about his engine failure during FP2 at the Azerbaijan ...
f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 07:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFlavio Briatore tells Fred Vasseur what he must ‘make clear’ to Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeclercFlavio Briatore has urged Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur to clarify the responsibilities of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they compete for the team's number one driver status. Briatore highlighted the need for Vasseur to remind both drivers that they must prioritise the team's success over personal rivalry, especially as Ferrari's performance has declined since the summer break.
Despite the tension, both Hamilton and Leclerc maintain that their relationship is friendly. Leclerc expressed the importance of communication between them, acknowledging that their actions are often scrutinised more than those of drivers from other teams. He emphasised their shared goal of winning as a team and restoring Ferrari's competitive edge.f1oversteer.comFri 25 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via PlanetF1David Coulthard criticises Charles Leclerc's attitudeDavid Coulthard has expressed concern over Charles Leclerc's approach to Formula 1, suggesting he treats the sport like a 'picnic'. Coulthard's comments come after Leclerc was advised that his behaviour during race weekends is excessive.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 04:52 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell Tops Day 1 Timesheets In BakuGeorge Russell dominated the first day of practice in Baku, achieving the fastest lap in both the first and second free practice sessions. In FP2, he clocked a time of 1:43.347, with teammate Kimi Antonelli following closely behind. Max Verstappen secured the third-fastest time, showcasing a competitive field as teams prepared for the upcoming Grand Prix.
The sessions were marked by varying track conditions, with significant temperature changes affecting tyre performance. Teams focused on optimising car setups to adapt to the evolving track surface, which was described as particularly dirty. Pirelli's Chief Engineer noted that track evolution played a crucial role in lap time improvements throughout the day.
f1chronicle.comThu 24 Sep · 21:51 UTC
via f1chronicle.comLewis Hamilton Admits Chasing George Russell, Not Kimi Antonelli, Is Now His Real Championship BattleLewis Hamilton has acknowledged that he is unlikely to catch Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship, as he trails by 101 points. Instead, he is now focusing on George Russell, who is just 20 points ahead of him in the standings. Hamilton believes that finishing second or maintaining third place would be a significant achievement for him and Ferrari this season, especially after a challenging 2025 campaign.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, Hamilton is preparing for a crucial triple header of races. He has expressed optimism about Ferrari's recent improvements and is determined to address execution issues that have hindered their performance. With 83 points available in the upcoming races, Hamilton's strategy has shifted to defending his position against Russell and Lando Norris, marking a change in his championship aspirations.f1chronicle.comThu 24 Sep · 21:26 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAlex Brundle disagrees with Oscar Piastri about his ‘main issue’ amid drubbing by Lando NorrisOscar Piastri is facing challenges in the 2026 season, particularly in his performance compared to teammate Lando Norris. Despite Piastri's belief that race pace is his main issue, Alex Brundle argues that his qualifying struggles are the root cause of his difficulties, as he consistently starts behind Norris.
Brundle highlighted that Piastri's qualifying record, with Norris leading 9-1, significantly hampers his chances on race day. As they head into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, qualifying will be critical for Piastri to close the gap and improve his standing against Norris.f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell tops Practice 3 at Baku Grand PrixGeorge Russell led the third practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, outperforming his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. The session indicated that Mercedes could be the team to beat this weekend.Formula1.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 17:02 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'Pretty pants!' - Norris rules McLaren out of Baku pole fightLando Norris expressed disappointment with McLaren's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessions, stating they were significantly off the pace, specifically 1.5 seconds slower than Mercedes' George Russell. Despite bringing a major upgrade package to Baku, Norris felt the new parts did not yield immediate improvements, and he ruled out a contention for pole position.
George Russell, who topped both practice sessions, expects the gaps to tighten in qualifying. Kimi Antonelli faced issues with a hydraulics leak but managed to recover well in the second session. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton noted Ferrari's struggles with tyre performance and straight-line speed, indicating a challenging day for the team.
Sky Sports F1Thu 24 Sep · 15:47 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris suffering 'knife in the heart' over McLaren Baku realityLando Norris expressed disappointment over McLaren's performance during Free Practice 2 at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing sixth but significantly slower than George Russell. He described the experience as feeling like 'a little knife in the heart,' highlighting the struggles of the MCL40 despite recent upgrades.
Norris acknowledged that the Baku circuit's layout, with its slow-speed corners and long straight, revealed the car's weaknesses. He noted a challenging start to the day after losing time in FP1 but remained optimistic about the team's ability to analyse data and improve for the upcoming sessions.
RacingNews365Thu 24 Sep · 15:45 UTC
via the-race.comWinners and losers from Baku F1 practiceGeorge Russell topped the timesheets in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessions, showcasing Mercedes' strong early-2026 form. Despite the team's assertion that their performance gap was not fully representative, Russell's position is promising, especially with teammate Lewis Hamilton facing issues. Meanwhile, McLaren struggled with their new bodywork upgrade, finishing 6th and 8th, while Pierre Gasly's solid performance in 7th placed him as a contender in the midfield.
Other teams faced challenges as well, with Audi and Williams finishing low in the standings despite bringing upgrades. Esteban Ocon had a decent outing in 10th, while Lewis Hamilton's practice was marred by a summons for impeding another driver. Sergio Perez's performance in 13th suggests potential for improvement, especially with the aid of a tow during his fastest lap.the-race.comThu 24 Sep · 15:06 UTC
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell tops FP2 in Baku ahead of team-mateGeorge Russell set the fastest time during the second practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit. He was followed closely by Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.Formula1.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 13:21 UTC
via RaceFansRussell leads Mercedes one-two, Lindblad crashes, Hamilton summoned for impeding | Formula 1In the second practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell led a dominant performance for Mercedes, clocking a fastest lap of 1'43.347. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, followed closely but could not match Russell's pace, finishing half a second behind.
Max Verstappen from Red Bull secured the third position, but his time was over eight tenths slower than Russell's. Meanwhile, championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli faced issues with his car, missing a significant portion of the session due to hydraulic repairs.
RaceFansThu 24 Sep · 13:16 UTC
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell tops Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessionGeorge Russell of Mercedes finished first in the second practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, outperforming his teammate Kimi Antonelli. The results indicate a strong performance from Mercedes as they prepare for the race weekend.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 13:06 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell tops practice session in BakuGeorge Russell achieved the fastest time in the second practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The session was marked by several incidents, highlighting the challenges teams faced on the track.Motorsport WeekThu 24 Sep · 13:05 UTC
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell leads Kimi Antonelli in FP2 in BakuGeorge Russell of Mercedes topped the second practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Russell's performance in Baku showcased his team's strong form ahead of the race weekend.Formula1.com+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 11:49 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari fans ‘don’t want to see’ what Charles Leclerc just did at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixFerrari fans are expressing frustration over Charles Leclerc's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, particularly after Free Practice 1 where he finished third. Despite showing promise in practice, fans are wary of the team's history of underperforming during actual races, leading to a cycle of hope and disappointment.
Comments from fans reflect their exasperation, with many stating they are tired of seeing Ferrari drivers perform well in practice only to falter in the race. The sentiment is that while Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are among the best drivers, the team's inability to convert practice success into race results has left fans feeling disillusioned.f1oversteer.comThu 24 Sep · 11:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhat Kimi Antonelli has learned from Max VerstappenKimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver, has been learning valuable lessons from Max Verstappen, who has praised Antonelli's impressive performances this season. With eight wins under his belt, Antonelli leads his teammate George Russell significantly in the championship standings. Verstappen, currently sixth in the standings, has encouraged Antonelli to maintain his current approach as he continues to develop his skills.
Antonelli has specifically noted Verstappen's exceptional racecraft, particularly his ability to read situations and position his car effectively. He reflected on a recent race in Madrid, where he learned the importance of maintaining track position and the potential to capitalize on opportunities, as demonstrated by Verstappen. Antonelli's observations of Verstappen's adaptability and performance under pressure have further inspired him in his own racing career.Motorsport.comThu 24 Sep · 11:15 UTC
via espn.comGeorge Russell leads opening practice in BakuGeorge Russell topped the first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli faced reliability issues that forced him to end his session early.
f1technical.net+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 10:10 UTC
via PlanetF1George Russell leads Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2 sessionGeorge Russell of Mercedes topped the second practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, following an early red flag. Max Verstappen expressed frustration over ongoing issues affecting his performance during the session.PlanetF1+ 1 moreThu 24 Sep · 09:37 UTC
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc rejects ‘overanalysing’ of Lewis Hamilton F1 battlesCharles Leclerc has addressed the ongoing scrutiny regarding his on-track battles with Lewis Hamilton, stating that he finds it enjoyable to compete against one of the best in Formula 1. He believes that the analysis surrounding their racing dynamics is often misguided and that discussions between them can clarify any misunderstandings.
Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, emphasised the importance of teamwork and shared goals within the team. Despite the competitive nature of their rivalry, he insists that both he and Hamilton are focused on achieving success for Ferrari, rather than allowing personal competition to overshadow their objectives.Motorsport WeekThu 24 Sep · 08:30 UTC