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via racer.com'Shocked' Russell credits thumping pole to growing confidenceGeorge Russell expressed surprise at his commanding pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing his success to growing confidence in his Mercedes car. He dominated qualifying with a margin of 0.837 seconds, the largest of the season, and topped two of the three practice sessions leading up to the event.
Despite acknowledging the impact of teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli's crash in Q1, Russell has shown impressive form since the midseason break, consistently qualifying at the front. Mercedes deputy principal Bradley Lord praised Russell's performance, noting his composed approach throughout the weekend. Russell himself feels a surge of confidence, which he believes is crucial for maintaining performance on the track.
via RacingNews365The 10 biggest F1 pole margins across the last decadeGeorge Russell achieved a remarkable pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing 0.837 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc. This performance places him fourth in the list of the biggest pole margins in Formula 1 over the last decade, a notable feat given the typically close competition on street circuits.
The top three biggest pole margins are held by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen's 1.244 seconds at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix being the largest. Hamilton's performances at the Styrian and Italian Grands Prix in 2020 and 2017, respectively, also feature prominently in this list, showcasing the dominance of these drivers in qualifying sessions.
Fri 25 Sep · 17:30 UTC
via gpfans.comKimi Antonelli faces pressure ahead of Azerbaijan GPKimi Antonelli, the current leader in the Formula 1 standings, is under scrutiny as he approaches the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Concerns have been raised about the potential for a repeat of last year's situation, where Oscar Piastri, the previous points leader, faced difficulties.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:57 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc blames Ferrari’s F1 car for destroying his ‘strength’ at the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCharles Leclerc has attributed his disappointing performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to the unpredictability of his Ferrari SF-26. Despite qualifying in second place, he was significantly outpaced by George Russell, who took pole position by a margin of eight and a half tenths of a second.
Leclerc noted that he struggled to maintain his usual precision and risk-taking ability due to the car's inconsistent behaviour, particularly in the tight and twisting sectors of the Baku City Circuit. He acknowledged that while Ferrari's straight-line speed had improved, the overall performance of the car hindered his strengths during qualifying.
Fri 25 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton 'pain in the ass' as George Russell sets three-year highGeorge Russell achieved a stunning pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, taking advantage of a significant mistake by Kimi Antonelli, who crashed at the first corner during Q1. This pole position marks the largest margin since Max Verstappen's performance at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix, showcasing Russell's impressive speed and skill.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were left frustrated after the qualifying session. Verstappen faced engine problems, while Hamilton struggled with tyre issues, which contributed to their disappointing results. Antonelli's crash not only affected his own qualifying but also opened the door for Russell's remarkable performance.Fri 25 Sep · 16:30 UTC
via Formula1.comOscar Piastri surprised by Baku qualifying paceOscar Piastri expressed his surprise at McLaren's performance during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured a spot on the second row. The Australian driver noted that the team's pace had improved significantly compared to their earlier practice sessions.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:20 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris calls for McLaren investigation after BakuLando Norris has requested McLaren to investigate a technical issue that affected his car's top speed during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris qualified in fifth place, expressing frustration over the ongoing problem.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:10 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFive things learned from Baku qualifying as George Russell dominates for pole positionGeorge Russell secured a narrow victory at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after starting from pole position. The Mercedes driver managed to fend off a challenge from Max Verstappen, finishing just a tenth of a second ahead after 51 laps. This win marks a significant moment in Russell's season, reducing his points gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 66 points.
Russell expressed pride in his resilience and the hard work he and his engineering team have put in to adapt his driving style to the new Mercedes W17 car. He noted that the victory was the result of a gradual process of improvement, with his recent performances indicating a return to form. With renewed confidence, Russell feels ready to compete for victories consistently as the season progresses.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 16:00 UTC
via F1iVerstappen calls Baku qualifying a disasterMax Verstappen expressed frustration over his qualifying performance in Baku, citing multiple errors that hindered his chances of starting alongside George Russell on the front row. The Red Bull Racing driver described the session as a 'disaster' following a dramatic finish.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:42 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez receives grid penalty for Azerbaijan Grand PrixSergio Perez has been given a grid penalty for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following an incident during qualifying where he impeded Oscar Piastri. The decision was made after an investigation by the stewards.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:29 UTC
via CrashLando Norris reflects on Baku qualifying errorLando Norris admitted he would "rather die pushing" after making a costly error during the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The McLaren driver expressed his determination to leave nothing on the table despite the setback he faced in Q3.
+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:15 UTC
via the-race.comGeorge Russell and Kimi Antonelli shine in BakuGeorge Russell of Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli were highlighted as standout performers in the qualifying session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Their impressive results contributed to a dynamic and eventful race weekend in Baku.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:05 UTC
via Formula1.comLeclerc lacks confidence in Ferrari ahead of Baku raceCharles Leclerc expressed concerns about the unpredictability of his Ferrari car, which affected his confidence during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite securing a front-row grid slot, Leclerc noted the significant gap to pole position and felt unable to drive with his usual commitment.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:01 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’ and ended up 0.5s slowerLewis Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari's qualifying strategy at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which he felt left him without a crucial slipstream. He qualified sixth, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc, and attributed his slower times to both tyre issues and the team's decision to change their run plan, resulting in him running alone in Q3.
Hamilton noted that he had been struggling with tyre performance all weekend and believed that a better strategy could have improved his position. Despite Leclerc's strong performance, Hamilton suggested that Ferrari might not have the second-fastest car, indicating that Max Verstappen had been quicker throughout the event.
Fri 25 Sep · 14:41 UTC
via PlanetF1Sergio Perez receives grid penalty for Azerbaijan incidentThe FIA has imposed a grid penalty on Sergio Perez following an incident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying where he impeded Oscar Piastri. The decision comes after a stewards' investigation into the matter.
+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:25 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton criticises Ferrari's qualifying strategyLewis Hamilton expressed frustration over Ferrari's qualifying strategy during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating it left him without a slipstream. Hamilton noted that his performance deteriorated throughout the session, ultimately finishing 0.5 seconds slower.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 14:06 UTC
via RaceFans2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix results from BakuThe 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix took place at the Baku City Circuit, showcasing a competitive race among the Formula 1 teams. Detailed results and highlights from the event have been compiled.
Sat 26 Sep · 12:05 UTC
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri concedes defeat to George RussellOscar Piastri admitted that McLaren had no chance of outpacing George Russell during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite securing third on the grid, Piastri noted he was comfortably behind Russell's pace.+ 2 moreFri 25 Sep · 13:27 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell secures pole by biggest career marginGeorge Russell expressed his shock after achieving pole position by the largest margin of his career during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc noted that this gap is the biggest between the pole-sitter and the second-place starter this season.+ 1 moreFri 25 Sep · 13:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell takes pole position in BakuGeorge Russell secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a remarkable lap time, finishing 0.837 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The session saw championship leader Kimi Antonelli crash out in Q1, forcing him to start from 16th place.+ 15 morePage 2 of 33
