Azerbaijan GP: Russell tops both Thursday sessions in Baku

Mercedes made an immediate statement at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with George Russell topping both Thursday practice sessions in Baku. The Silver Arrows looked settled from the start on the street circuit, but the competitive picture is far from closed as teams prepare for Saturday's qualifying.

Why it matters:

Baku is a circuit where track position is everything. A strong Thursday doesn't guarantee a strong weekend, but it gives Mercedes a valuable baseline and early momentum. With the field often separated by tenths, building confidence before qualifying can be the difference between pole and the midfield.

The details:

• Russell set the benchmark in both sessions, putting Mercedes at the head of the timesheets for round 15 of the 2026 season.
• The Baku circuit demands a compromise between low downforce for the long straights and mechanical grip through the castle section. Mercedes appears to have found a balanced setup early.
• Thursday's running also gave teams their first real look at tyre behaviour on the resurfaced track, with long-run degradation likely to play a role in Sunday's race strategy.

What's next:

Teams now face a crucial day of setup refinement before Saturday's qualifying. Mercedes will be wary of rivals closing the gap as the track evolves and drivers push closer to the limits. If Russell can carry this form into Saturday, Mercedes could be the team to beat in Azerbaijan.