Russell Takes Azerbaijan GP Pole

George Russell took pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a 1:42.526 lap, 0.837 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, earning his first pole since June and the 12th of his career. Russell topped all three qualifying segments, while Oscar Piastri qualified third and Max Verstappen eighth. Kimi Antonelli crashed at Turn 1 in Q1 and will start 16th; Lando Norris qualified fifth after a late lock-up and yellow flag disrupted some drivers’ final attempts. The race is scheduled for Saturday to avoid Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day.