F1 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying: Russell Takes Pole as Antonelli Crashes Out

F1 Azerbaijan qualifying saw George Russell take pole for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli crashed out in Q1 after hitting the barriers.

Russell set a fast lap at the Baku City Circuit. He took pole with a time of 1:42.526. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was second. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was third. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar took P4.

F1 Azerbaijan Qualifying: Antonelli Crashes Out in Q1

Kimi Antonelli’s session ended in Q1. The Mercedes driver hit the wall at Turn 1.

Read more about Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP victory.

As a result, he finished in P16. This was a major setback. He had shown good pace in practice.

Meanwhile, Mercedes had only one car in the top 10. Therefore, Russell’s pole was key for the team.

Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

F1 Azerbaijan Qualifying: Double Alpine in the Top 10

Alpine had a strong session.

Pierre Gasly was seventh. Franco Colapinto was 10th at first. As a result, Alpine had both cars in the top 10.

The result shows Alpine’s good form in Baku. Furthermore, both drivers can now fight for points.

Penalties Hit Sainz and Perez

The drama went on after qualifying. Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez both got grid penalties.

First, Sainz got a five-place grid penalty. He did not slow enough for yellow flags during qualifying.

Sainz was ninth in qualifying. Therefore, he is set to drop to P14 for now. In addition, he got two penalty points.

Meanwhile, Perez got a three-place grid penalty. Stewards found that he got in Oscar Piastri’s way during qualifying.

F1 Azerbaijan Qualifying Sets Up Saturday’s Race

The penalties will change the grid for Saturday’s race. As a result, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set for another close race.

Baku has fast straights and tight corners. Finally, the F1 Azerbaijan qualifying results have put Russell at the front.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, September 26. Russell will lead the field from pole.

By: Veer Gala, Shruti Prabhune
Photo: Niti Ladha
Idea: Ronak Rane