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Antonelli Leads as F1 Heads to Baku Grand Prix

Cityscape of Baku with modern buildings and racetrack
Formula 1

Round 15 of the 2026 Formula 1 season sends the paddock to one of its most unforgiving stages: the streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, from 24-26 September.

Kimi Antonelli arrives with the air of a man already shaping the championship. The Mercedes rookie didn’t just win at the inaugural Madring Spanish Grand Prix last time out – he stretched his lead in the standings to a commanding 81 points. In a year that was supposed to be about learning, he has become the reference point.

Norris Stung by Virtual Safety Car

In Spain, Lando Norris produced the kind of qualifying lap that makes a career showreel. The McLaren driver stuck it on pole with style and looked set to control Sunday.

Then the race turned on a detail that drivers dread: a virtual safety car.

Norris lost out badly in that phase, shuffled out of the ideal strategy window and stripped of the lead he had earned on Saturday. He fought back, salvaging third place, but the sense lingered that it could – and maybe should – have been more.

Verstappen, Hamilton and the Opening Shuffle

Max Verstappen, ever-present at the sharp end, finished second in Madrid. His race, though, carried an unusual twist. Early on, he had to hand position to Lewis Hamilton, a move that opened the door for Antonelli to seize control.

That exchange between the two multiple champions tilted the race in Mercedes’ favour and left Verstappen chasing rather than dictating. He still banked strong points, yet Antonelli was the one walking away with the win and a swelling buffer in the title race.

Baku Awaits

Now comes Baku: a 51-lap street fight lined with walls, long straights and the kind of slipstream chaos that can turn a quiet afternoon into a classic. Lights out on Sunday is set for 12:00 BST.

The schedule, all times BST:

  • Thursday, 24 September
    • First practice: 09:30-10:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
    • Second practice: 13:00-14:00 (BBC Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
  • Friday, 25 September
    • Third practice: 09:30-10:30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
    • Qualifying: 13:00-14:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
  • Saturday, 26 September
    • Race: 12:00 start, with build-up from 11:00 (BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Commentary will run across BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with coverage also available via most smart speakers by asking to “play 5 Live”.

The Chequered Flag podcast continues to follow every twist of the season, with the post-race show for every grand prix available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Antonelli may hold the advantage for now, but Baku has a habit of shredding scripts.

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