Russell claims Azerbaijan GP pole as Antonelli crashes

George Russell beat Charles Leclerc to pole position in Baku after championship leader Kimi Antonelli dramatically crashed in Q1 and will start 16th; watch the Azerbaijan GP on Saturday at 12pm with build-up from 10.30am, live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event

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George Russell claimed a dominant pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed in Q1 and will start 16th.

Russell had been in superb form throughout the three practice sessions and continued his mighty speed in Q3 to beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by eighth tenths of a second.

Antonelli clipped the inside wall into Turn 1 in Q1 and was told to stop the car in the middle sector, despite his efforts to carry on and get back to the pit lane.

It means Russell has a big opportunity to make significant inroads into his 81-point deficit to Antonelli when the lights go out on Saturday at 12pm (build-up from 10.30am), live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event .

McLaren's Oscar Piastri qualified third, his best result since July's Hungarian Grand Prix, while Isack Hadjar was fourth on his return from a wrist injury, having missed the last three race weekends.

Max Verstappen looked to be a genuine pole threat to Russell but was caught out by yellow flags which Lando Norris caused after locking up into Turn 3 on the last Q3 runs.

Norris will still start fifth but Verstappen is only eighth, behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in sixth and Alpine's Pierre Gasly in seventh.

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Williams reached Q3 for the first time this season after Carlos Sainz qualified ninth, making the most of their major upgrade package which has cut all of their excess weight, while Alpine's Franco Colapinto was 10th.

1) George Russell, Mercedes 2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 3) Oscar Piastri, McLaren 4) Isack Hadjar, Red Bull 5) Lando Norris, McLaren 6) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari 7) Pierre Gasly, Alpine 8) Max Verstappen, Red Bull 9) Carlos Sainz, Williams 10) Franco Colapinto, Alpine

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*

Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at 12pm (build-up from 10.30am). Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime