Russell fastest in Baku first practice as Antonelli hits trouble

George Russell set the pace in first practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, finishing 0.4 seconds clear of Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton fourth and championship leader Kimi Antonelli fifth, 0.878 seconds off Russell. BBC Sport

The session opened the race weekend of 24-26 September at the Baku City Circuit, a 6.003km street track that punishes the smallest mistake. Russell's best lap held through the hour despite late improvements elsewhere. Verstappen slotted into second. Leclerc and Hamilton followed, although neither Ferrari ran the soft tyre, the fastest and grippiest compound available.

The championship picture gives the times extra edge. Antonelli arrived in Baku with 292 points, 81 clear of Russell. That gap means every tenth matters. A strong weekend for Russell would cut into the lead. A clean one for Antonelli would stretch it further.

Antonelli's running was cut short. He stopped at Turn One on his first lap on soft tyres and did not return. The team later traced the stoppage to a hydraulic leak, a failure in the fluid system that operates parts such as the gearbox and power steering. It left him fifth on his earlier time and short on track mileage.

There was more untidiness behind him. Liam Lawson was seventh and Arvid Lindblad eighth. Lindblad stopped facing the barriers at Turn Seven but reversed out and continued. Gabriel Bortoleto was ninth and Nico Hulkenberg tenth, but Hulkenberg stopped on track with a technical problem towards the end of the session.

Verstappen has history on his side here. He won in Baku in 2022 and 2025, and finished on the podium in three of the last four Azerbaijan Grands Prix. Formula 1 His 2025 win was a Grand Slam: pole position, led every lap and fastest lap. Formula 1 Russell was second that day. A win this time would make Verstappen the first triple winner at Baku. Reuters

What makes this stand out is the mix of speed and warning signs. Russell looked sharp from the start. Verstappen stayed close. Ferrari showed pace without using their fastest tyre. And Antonelli, the man they all have to catch, has ground to make up after an interrupted start.

The official title for the weekend is the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026. The race is listed for 1100 GMT.