Azerbaijan GP: Max Verstappen fastest in challenging final practice to usurp George Russell and Mercedes ahead of Qualifying
Max Verstappen denied George Russell a clean sweep of fastest practice times as Red Bull led a renewed challenge to the Mercedes drivers ahead of Qualifying later on Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The arrival of more characteristic gusty conditions on the streets of Baku for final practice increased the challenge around the wall-lined track, with numerous drivers running off track after errors throughout the hour.
Mercedes' dominant position from Thursday's calmer running had initially been set to continue but Verstappen delivered increasing pace on his soft-tyre run to eventually usurp Russell with a best lap of 1:43.922.
Russell finished 0.099s behind in second with Lewis Hamilton in third and only 0.111s adrift in a Ferrari car that had not been in the mix for most of the session.
Like Verstappen earlier in the season, Hamilton's final-lap time benefitted from a straight-line speed-boosting tow behind other cars down Baku's mammoth pit straight, with both that and the wind set to be key factors in the battle for pole position in Qualifying from 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
"The weather has brought us the possibility of an absolutely fascinating and dramatic qualifying to come," said Sky Sports F1's David Croft.
"These are not easy conditions out there by any stretch of the imagination."
Kimi Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points in the championship, was fourth fastest ahead of the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
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Friday September 2511.10am: F2 Feature Race 1*12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up*1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*3pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook
Saturday September 267.55am: F2 Feature Race 210.30am: 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
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