F1 is live at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with George Russell leading the field away from pole at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday, September 26.
The race is being held on a rare Saturday schedule after Formula 1 moved the event forward by one day to accommodate a national day in Azerbaijan.
At the time of publication, the 51-lap race was underway on the 6.003-kilometre street circuit in Baku.
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F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix starting grid
Russell earned pole for Mercedes with a qualifying lap of 1:42.526, finishing 0.837 seconds ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri starts third after qualifying just 0.001 seconds behind Leclerc.
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 7 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 8 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 9 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 10 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
Russell’s result marked his fifth pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season and gave Mercedes a strong track position for the start.
Antonelli faces major recovery drive
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli starts from 16th after crashing at Turn 1 during the opening segment of qualifying.
The Mercedes driver was unable to set a qualifying time after the incident, leaving his title rivals with an opportunity to reduce his points advantage.
Antonelli entered the Azerbaijan weekend with 292 points, 81 points ahead of team-mate Russell in the drivers’ standings.
Lewis Hamilton was third in the championship before the race with 191 points, while Lando Norris held fourth on 186.
A strong result for Russell could therefore benefit Mercedes while also increasing pressure on Antonelli to recover positions through traffic.
What happened in qualifying
Russell controlled the final qualifying session after McLaren initially placed both cars ahead of him on their first attempts.
The Mercedes driver responded with a 1:43.037 lap before improving again to secure pole by more than eight-tenths of a second.
Leclerc took second for Ferrari, while Piastri missed the front row by the narrowest possible margin.
Hadjar qualified fourth on his return to competition, ahead of Norris and Hamilton.
Verstappen starts eighth after a yellow flag affected his final qualifying attempt.
Several drivers also carry grid penalties, changing the order from the raw qualifying classification.
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll received power-unit-related penalties, while Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez were also affected by separate grid penalties.
Saturday schedule in Baku
Formula 1’s official timetable lists the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as a 51-lap race with a maximum duration of 120 minutes.
The start was scheduled for 3 p.m. local time in Baku on September 26.
Unlike most Formula 1 weekends, the main event is taking place on Saturday rather than Sunday.
The unusual timetable also brought the practice and qualifying sessions forward, with qualifying held on Friday, September 25.
What to watch during the race
- Russell’s ability to convert pole into an early lead on a circuit where safety-car interruptions can quickly change the strategy.
- Antonelli’s progress from 16th and whether Mercedes can move him through the field without losing too much time in traffic.
- The close fight between Ferrari and McLaren near the front of the grid.
- Verstappen’s attempt to move forward from eighth after Red Bull showed strong pace in final practice.
- Potential safety-car periods around Baku’s narrow sections and long high-speed straights.
The final result, points changes and any post-race penalties will determine the full championship impact of the Azerbaijan round.
Formula 1’s next scheduled race is the Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2 to October 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is being held on Saturday, September 26, at the Baku City Circuit.
Who started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole?
George Russell started from pole for Mercedes after setting the fastest qualifying time.
Where does Kimi Antonelli start in Azerbaijan?
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli starts from 16th after crashing during Q1 qualifying.
How long is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled for 51 laps around the 6.003-kilometre Baku City Circuit, with a maximum duration of 120 minutes.
Why is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix being held on Saturday?
Formula 1 moved the race from Sunday to Saturday after a request connected to a national day in Azerbaijan.
Fact-Checked: Key schedule, grid, qualifying, championship and circuit details were checked against Formula 1 and FIA information. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2021/races/1295/azerbaijan/starting-grid))
Disclaimer: Race positions and championship implications may change until the chequered flag and completion of post-race classifications.