George Russell tops Baku FP2 to complete Friday practice sweep

George Russell completed a Friday practice sweep at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, topping FP2 by 0.552s over teammate Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver had already led FP1 by 0.400s, marking the first time in his F1 career he has topped both sessions on the same day.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' one-two in Baku is a clear statement of intent. On a street circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult, grid position is vital, and the Silver Arrows have a visible pace edge. Max Verstappen sits third, 0.827s back, but the rest of the field—including Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—is already over a second behind, leaving Mercedes in a league of its own.

The details:

• Russell's FP2 lap edged out Antonelli by 0.552s, giving Mercedes a comfortable 1-2.
• Verstappen was the only other driver within a second of the pace, with his Red Bull struggling to match the W16's straight-line speed.
• Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both ended up more than a second down, a worrying sign for Ferrari on a track where their car was expected to be competitive.
• This is the second time in 2026 a driver has topped both Friday sessions, after Antonelli achieved the feat in Austria.

The big picture:

Baku often delivers surprises, but early signs point to Mercedes holding the upper hand. The long straights and heavy braking zones reward power and balance, both of which the W16 showed in abundance. With the championship battle heating up, this weekend could be a turning point.

What's next:

Qualifying will reveal true pace, with Mercedes confident of converting Friday form into pole. But in Baku, the walls are never far away, and one mistake in Q3 could change everything.