Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Formula One 2026 – live

Whether races take place in the Middle East towards the end of the season, or not, could affect this season’s F1 world championship. Kimi Antonelli leads his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 81 points with nine meetings remaining, as it stands. If that number was reduced the Italian could close it out even sooner than might be expected.

Formula One is pressing ahead with its original plan to finish the season with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, although a contingency is understood to be in place to host a final round in Imola if the volatile situation means both meetings have to be cancelled.

“I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East,” said Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. “From what I have read, things seem OK out there, but I don’t have all the information and I don’t know what the risk levels are. I trust in Stefano [Domenicali, F1’s chief executive] to make the right decision for the sport. And I do hope we get to go there.”

“Today’s a big opportunity,” says Antonelli, speaking to the broadcasters. “The car is very quick, so hopefully we can gain a lot of places.”

The 20-year-old is a confident young man.

Is there any chance Kimi Antonelli can win this race from way back on the grid? Well, at Monza he came back from 19th to take victory and Baku, with its long straights, has similarly generous opportunities for overtaking. But he cannot afford to be caught in incidents in the midfield.

“Race smart in the early stages tomorrow and I am sure he has the pace to climb his way back up the field,” said the Mercedes deputy team principal, Bradley Lord.

His teammate, George Russell, said: “You can’t discount Kimi. You know, started 19th in Monza and now he’s in 16th, so, yeah, he should be leading by a few laps early this time.” He added: “He’s been flawless this season. It’s the first mistake he’s made in a qualifying or race this whole year.”

Here’s how the grid looks at the start of the race:

1. Russell (Mercedes)

2. Leclerc (Ferrari)

3. Piastri (McLaren)

4. Hadjar (Red Bull)

5. Norris (McLaren)

6. Hamilton (Ferrari)

7. Gasly (Alpine)

8. Verstappen (Red Bull)

9. Sainz (Williams)

10. Colapinto (Alpine)

11. Bearman (Haas)

12. Lawson (Racing Bulls)

13. Albon (Williams)

14. Ocon (Haas)

15. Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

16. Antonelli (Mercedes)

17. Bortoleto (Audi)

18. Hulkenberg (Audi)

19. Alonso (Aston Martin)

20. Perez (Cadillac)

21. Stroll (Aston Martin)

22. Bottas (Cadillac)

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – with a rare Saturday race day for us all to enjoy. The big story from qualifying yesterday was runaway World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashing out, meaning he will start today’s race 16th on the grid, handing the initiative to his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who claimed pole position.

Antonelli said his crash was “stupid” but also “a good way to come back to earth” after a stunning few weeks for the young Italian driver, who won the Italian and Spanish Grands Prix to take his tally to eight race wins so far this season.

Second fastest in qualifying in Baku was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc second, with Oscar Piastri third.

The race gets under way at 3pm local time in Azerbaijan, which translated to midday UK time. We’ll bring you all the relevant buildup, followed by lap-by-lap updates, well near enough anyway. Can Antonelli pull off the improbable in Baku, can Russell close the gap to the championship leader, or can one of the Ferraris or McLarens make an impact? Let’s find out.