Russell tops Azerbaijan practice as Antonelli stops with hydraulic fault
George Russell set the pace in the opening Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice, while Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli was halted by a hydraulic issue after nine laps.
George Russell topped the timesheets in the opening practice session for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit. The Mercedes driver set a lap that was four-tenths of a second quicker than Max Verstappen, who finished the session in second place. Russell’s early performance highlighted Mercedes’ strong pace as teams began preparations for the weekend.
Russell Sets the Early Pace in Baku
Antonelli’s Session Cut Short by Hydraulic Issue
Russell’s teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, was forced to end his session prematurely after just nine laps due to a hydraulic problem. Despite the setback, Antonelli’s best effort was still good enough for fifth place on the timesheets. The young Italian had shown promising speed before his car came to a halt, underscoring Mercedes’ potential even as they faced reliability concerns early in the weekend.
Technical Setbacks and Team Updates
The opening practice session was marked by a mix of technical challenges and new developments throughout the field. Antonelli’s stoppage was the most notable mechanical issue, but several teams were also running with updated components as they sought to gain an advantage on the fast and demanding Baku circuit.
Liam Lawson made his return to Racing Bulls, rejoining the team after a stint substituting at Red Bull’s senior squad. Lawson’s presence marked a change for Racing Bulls as they continued to evaluate their driver line-up and performance for the season.
Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Audi, delivered a solid performance with his updated car, finishing seventh in the session. Audi’s upgrades appeared to provide a step forward, with Hulkenberg consistently running in the top ten throughout practice. Oscar Piastri also made an impact, setting the eighth-fastest time with his final lap before the chequered flag. Piastri’s pace suggested McLaren could be in the mix for strong results this weekend.
Williams introduced updates to their car for Baku, with Carlos Sainz Jnr leading the way for the team. Sainz was the quickest of the Williams drivers, helping the team assess the effectiveness of their new parts as they look to climb the midfield order. The session provided valuable data for Williams as they continue their development push.
Session Standouts and Early Impressions
The top of the timesheets reflected a mix of established frontrunners and drivers making the most of their opportunities. While Russell’s performance set the tone for Mercedes, Verstappen’s second place showed that Red Bull remain in close contention. Antonelli’s speed before his hydraulic problem kept him among the leading group, despite the limited running.
Hulkenberg’s result with the updated Audi and Piastri’s late improvement for McLaren added further intrigue to the competitive order. Sainz’s pace for Williams, meanwhile, suggested that the team’s updates could be effective as the weekend progresses. The session also saw teams gathering crucial data on their new components and addressing reliability issues, which could play a significant role in shaping the rest of the event.
Top Performers in Azerbaijan GP Practice 1
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2nd | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 5th | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 7th | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi |
| 8th | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| Quickest Williams | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams |
