George Russell topped FP1 at the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP, setting a 1:45.387 to finish four tenths clear of Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc completed the top three, with Lewis Hamilton fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth despite his session ending early.
The session started on a dusty and slippery Baku City Circuit, with several drivers reporting issues early on. Carlos Sainz returned to the pits with rear brake trouble, while Oscar Piastri reported vibrations and Isack Hadjar struggled with brake and power unit problems.
Antonelli briefly led on hard tyres before stopping at Turn 7 with a hydraulic issue, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Verstappen and Russell later had moments in the run-off areas, but both continued before Russell used a tow on the main straight to go fastest. A second VSC came late on after Arvid Lindblad got stuck at Turn 7 and Nico Hülkenberg stopped at Turn 4.
2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP | FP1 results
- George Russell — Mercedes — 1:45.387
- Max Verstappen — Red Bull — +0.400
- Charles Leclerc — Ferrari — +0.404
- Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari — +0.437
- Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes
- Oscar Piastri — McLaren — +1.011
- Liam Lawson — Racing Bulls — +1.053
- Arvid Lindblad — Racing Bulls — +1.214
- Esteban Ocon — Haas — +1.237
- Gabriel Bortoleto — Audi — +1.301
- Nico Hulkenberg — Audi — +1.506
- Carlos Sainz — Williams — +1.552
- Alex Albon — Williams — +1.594
- Lando Norris — McLaren — +1.607
- Oliver Bearman — Haas — +1.656
- Pierre Gasly — Alpine — +1.656
- Sergio Perez — Cadillac — +1.866
- Franco Colapinto — Alpine — +2.136
- Fernando Alonso — Aston Martin — +2.448
- Isack Hadjar — Red Bull — +2.486
- Lance Stroll — Cadillac — +3.160
- Valtteri Bottas — Cadillac — +3.928
