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Azerbaijan GP: George Russell fastest in second practice ahead of Kimi Antonelli in dominant start in Baku

Mercedes make a commanding start to the Azerbaijan weekend, with George Russell in early flying form; Red Bull's Max Verstappen only driver within one second of Mercedes' pace; <strong>watch final practice in Baku on Friday at 9.30am, with Qualifying at 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1</strong>

George Russell completed an impressive practice double as he outpaced title-leading team-mate Kimi Antonelli in a dominant start to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.

​​Mercedes' Russell built on the form that had seen him top the day's earlier first practice session to stay at the head of the timesheet, this time finishing with a half-second advantage around the challenging streets of Baku.

Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points in the chase for 2026's Drivers' Championship, experienced a compromised Thursday owing to the hydraulic leak that stopped his car midway through the opening session.

The Italian returned to the track with just over 30 minutes of the second session left, after an engine change, and worked his way up to second on the timesheet, eventually finishing 0.552s behind Russell.

"We lost quite a few laps in FP1 and missing half of FP2 is never ideal, especially on a street circuit," said Antonelli.

"Overall, I feel like it was a good recovery. I feel quite good in the car. A few things to work on but looking forward to tomorrow."

Max Verstappen took third to end a promising opening day in an upgraded Red Bull car, although his deficit to the front was 0.8s.

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Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson was not pleased with Lewis Hamilton after a near miss during the second practice session at the Azerbaijan GP.

Everyone else was over a second off the pace, including the Ferraris and McLarens. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth respectively, with McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sixth and eighth.

Norris described McLaren's deficit to the front as "pretty pants".

Pierre Gasly was seventh for Alpine with the returning Isack Hadjar ninth for Red Bull and Esteban Ocon, whose Haas seat appears set to go elsewhere for 2027, 10th quickest.

Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad brought out Thursday's only red flag when he crashed in the narrow castle section of the challenging Baku lap.

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Arvid Lindblad hits the barriers at the tight castle chicane during P2 at the Azerbaijan GP.

Is Baku poised to be Russell vs Antonelli?

After falling in excess of three race wins behind Antonelli last time out in Madrid, Russell admitted he was not in a realistic fight for the championship despite being his team-mate's nearest challenger in the points.

Russell, though, said on Wednesday that he felt he was in the form to win races again - something he has not done since the Austrian Grand Prix in June - and he has certainly made a positive start to that quest in Baku, where has finished on the podium in three of the past four years.

"He's driving well," said Sky Sports F1's Jacques Villeneuve after the second session.

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Kimi Antonelli admits the early exit in P1 wasn't 'ideal' for a street circuit like Azerbaijan but was pleased with his recovery in the second practice session.

"Where he makes the difference is all the narrow bits where the car needs to be precise. Antonelli drives with more understeer, so pays a bit of a price there.

"It seems like a straight fight between the two [Mercedes] team-mates."

Azerbaijan GP Practice Two Timesheet

Driver Team Time
1) George Russell Mercedes 1:43.347
2) Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.552
3) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.827
4) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +1.126
5) Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +1.318
6) Lando Norris McLaren +1.484
7) Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.496
8) Oscar Piastri McLaren +1.510
9) Isack Hadjar Red Bull +1.521
10) Esteban Ocon Haas +1.943
11) Franco Colapinto Alpine +2.132
12) Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +2.334
13) Sergio Perez Cadillac +2.413
14) Gabriel Bortoleto Audi +2.447
15) Nico Hulkenberg Audi +2.507
16) Alex Albon Williams +2.776
17) Carlos Sainz Williams +2.874
18) Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +3.044
19) Valtteri Bottas Cadillac +3.390
20) Oliver Bearman Haas +3.454
21) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +4.056
22) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +4.542

Sky Sports F1's Azerbaijan GP live schedule

Friday September 25
5.10am: F2 Sprint*
9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)*
11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*
12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*
1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Baku City Circuit

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*

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime