2026 F1 Round 15 Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2: Russell leads again in Mercedes one-two

The second practice session for the 2026 F1 Round 15 Azerbaijan Grand Prix concluded in Baku on 24 September. George Russell led again with 1:43.347, while Kimi Antonelli finished second, 0.552s behind, securing a Mercedes one-two. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third, 0.827s adrift. Lindblad’s crash interrupted the session before soft-tyre runs reshuffled the leading order after the restart.

Russell improves twice on soft tyres after the red flag

Less than 20 minutes into practice, Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad hit the barrier in the castle section between Turns 8 and 9, damaging the right side of the car and bringing out a red flag. After the car was recovered and the track cleared, practice resumed at 16:29 Baku local time. Lindblad completed only 4 laps and finished 18th, losing the opportunity for further running.

After the restart, drivers began single-lap runs on soft tyres. Russell first recorded 1:43.759, then improved to 1:43.347, a difference of 0.412s. Antonelli later set 1:43.899 to move into second, pushing Verstappen to third. Most drivers had used medium or hard tyres early on; the final leading order took shape during the subsequent soft-tyre running.

Different mileage behind the Mercedes one-two

Antonelli had stopped at Turn 7 with a hydraulic problem during morning FP1, completing only 9 laps. His 16 laps and second place in FP2 restored useful timed running after the early end to his opening session. Even so, his FP2 mileage remained 8 laps short of team-mate Russell’s 24; similar positions did not mean equal amounts of running.

Russell also led FP1, with a best lap of 1:45.387. His FP2 best was 2.040s faster than in the morning. He topped both sessions, but track conditions and running programmes differed between morning and afternoon. The gap describes the change between his two best laps, not an improvement measured under uniform test conditions.

Bearman and Alonso also lose track time

Soon after the red-flag restart, Haas driver Oliver Bearman reported over the radio that the engine had suddenly cut out and stopped in an escape road. He completed only 10 laps and finished 20th. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso ran 9 laps and placed 22nd, 4.542s behind. F1’s official report attributed his reduced track time to a suspected oil leak.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and fifth. Lando Norris was sixth, Pierre Gasly seventh and Oscar Piastri eighth, with Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon completing the top ten. Mercedes secured the top two single-lap results, while several drivers lost running to accidents or technical problems. The next practice session is scheduled for 12:30 Baku local time on 25 September, or 16:30 China Standard Time (UTC+8).

FP2 results