George Russell was in a class of one in Baku. After dominating much of free practice, Russell was handed a lifeline in qualifying. His teammate Kimi Antonelli clipped the wall in Q1 and broke his suspension. Having already set a time good enough for Q2, Antonelli progressed but will start tomorrow’s race from 16th on the grid. Having been handed an open goal, Russell took his chance. Despite an early threat from Red Bull, Russell was nothing short of peerless. Fastest in all three sessions, the Mercedes driver always had an answer to his rivals and secured his 12th career pole by a daunting 0.837s. The largest pole margin since the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.
Having vowed to fight for as long as he has a mathematical title chance, this result was just the response Russell needed.
Charles Leclerc received a helpful tow from his teammate en route to second, his fifth front-row start in Baku. After trailing the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull throughout free practice, McLaren found a significant turn of pace in qualifying. Oscar Piastri cashed in by setting the third-fastest time. After three races on the sidelines thanks to a broken wrist, Isack Hadjar marked his return with a commendable run to fourth ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Pierre Gasly marked his seventh Q3 appearance of the season with seventh, ahead of a frustrated Max Verstappen, who has been outqualified by his teammate for only the fourth time this season. Carlos Sainz completed a valiant run to ninth but later received a five-place grid penalty for a yellow-flag infringement.
As a result, Franco Colapinto was elevated to ninth ahead of Ollie Bearman, Liam Lawson, Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon. Arvid Lindblad qualified 15th ahead of the stricken Kimi Antonelli. He may have a significant championship advantage but, with his teammate up at the front, Antonelli will be keen to make up for lost ground in the race.
Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 17th, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso. Sergio Perez originally qualified 15thbut received a three–place grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri. He will start 22nd behind Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas.
It is still an advantage: Antonelli, as far as the title race is concerned, however, with Russell in exemplary form and Baku a hotbed for chaos. The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has the potential to upset the pecking order.
