Azerbaijan GP: Max Verstappen fastest in challenging final practice to usurp George Russell and Mercedes ahead of Qualifying | F1 News
Max 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.
The arrival of more characteristic gusty conditions on the streets of Baku for final practice increased the challenge around the wall-lined circuit, with numerous drivers running off track after errors throughout the hour.
Mercedes’ dominant position from Thursday’s calmer running had initially continued but Verstappen delivered increasing pace on his soft-tyre run and eventually usurped Russell at the head of the timesheet with a best lap of 1:43.922.
Russell, who had a near-miss with the barriers at Turn Seven after running straight on, finished 0.099s behind in second
Ferrari had been off the leading pace for most of the session but Lewis Hamilton moved into third with his final lap to finish only 0.111s adrift of Verstappen.
Like his Red Bull rival earlier in the session, Hamilton’s final-lap time benefitted from a straight-line speed-boosting tow behind other cars down Baku’s mammoth pit straight. Both the tow and the wind set to be key factors in the battle for pole position in Qualifying from 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
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Craig Slater breaks down the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including why the race takes place on a Saturday, while doing his best Craig David impression!
“The weather has brought us the possibility of an absolutely fascinating and dramatic qualifying to come,” said Sky Sports F1’s David Croft.
“These are not easy conditions out there by any stretch of the imagination.”
Kimi Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points in the championship, was fourth fastest ahead of the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Azerbaijan GP live schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Baku City Circuit
Friday September 25
11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*
1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Saturday September 26
7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2
10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction*
3pm: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
