George Russell leads FP1 in Azerbaijan as Antonelli faces issues
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 9:50 AM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026
George Russell set the fastest time in the first practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, clocking a lap of 1m45.387s. His teammate Kimi Antonelli struggled, encountering technical trouble that cut his session short after initially recording a competitive lap of 1m46.265s. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc followed Russell in the standings, while Antonelli's car caused a virtual safety car when it stopped on the track. As teams adjust to the challenging street circuit conditions, they will prepare for qualifying and the main race.
- •George Russell topped FP1 with a time of 1m45.387s.
- •Kimi Antonelli stopped on track after a suspected mechanical issue.
- •Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc completed the top three positions.
- •Antonelli's early exit led to a virtual safety car deployment.
- •The session took place as drivers adapted to the slippery street circuit.
- 10:39 AMESPN F1 — Russell sets pace in FP1 in Baku, Antonelli out
- 9:48 AMYahoo Sports — Antonelli suffers hydraulics issue as Russell tops first Baku practice
- 9:36 AMYahoo Sports — George Russell tops Azerbaijan FP1 as Kimi Antonelli suffers Mercedes trouble
- 9:36 AMMotorsport.com — George Russell tops Azerbaijan FP1 as Kimi Antonelli suffers Mercedes trouble
"Mercedes driver George Russell led Max Verstappen in the first free practice at F1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli hit trouble. Russell's 1m45.387s lap, set with 20 minutes to go in the one-hour session, was comfortably enough to hold off the competition as his Mercedes team-mate disappeared from the session early, with Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounding out the ...Keep reading
"Championship leader Kimi Antonelli suffered a hydraulics issue as Mercedes team-mate George Russell went quickest in the opening practice session on Thursday for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix. Italian Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points as he eyes a maiden title, stopped on the Baku street track given smoke was coming from his car.
"George Russell got his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend off to a good start after he topped the first practice session, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli was forced to end his session early.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Sep 24, 2026, 10:39 AMRussell sets pace in FP1 in Baku, Antonelli out
George Russell got his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend off to a good start after he topped the first practice session, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli was forced to end his session early.
- Yahoo SportsSep 24, 2026, 9:48 AMAntonelli suffers hydraulics issue as Russell tops first Baku practice
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli suffered a hydraulics issue as Mercedes team-mate George Russell went quickest in the opening practice session on Thursday for the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix. Italian Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points as he eyes a maiden title, stopped on the Baku street track given smoke was coming from his car.
- Yahoo SportsSep 24, 2026, 9:36 AMGeorge Russell tops Azerbaijan FP1 as Kimi Antonelli suffers Mercedes trouble
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has lost valuable track time at Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Mercedes team-mate George Russell topped opening practice
- Motorsport.comSep 24, 2026, 9:36 AMGeorge Russell tops Azerbaijan FP1 as Kimi Antonelli suffers Mercedes trouble
Mercedes driver George Russell led Max Verstappen in the first free practice at F1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli hit trouble. Russell's 1m45.387s lap, set with 20 minutes to go in the one-hour session, was comfortably enough to hold off the competition as his Mercedes team-mate disappeared from the session early, with Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounding out the ...Keep reading
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