Key events<\/p>\n
OK, Verstappen and Hadjar are pitting, a double stack from Red Bull. Piastri also pits.<\/p>\n
This is going to be chaotic when all the cars emerge to jostle for position \u2026<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Antonelli quickly pits and gets the soft tyres on; Lando Norris does the same after his lockup. Who will benefit from this safety car and will we get a red flag?<\/p>\n We shall find out soon. The top six still haven\u2019t pitted, but Mercedes may bring their race leader Russell in shortly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Yellow flag: Another big incident \u2013 Alex Albon has smashed into the wall and there\u2019s a yellow flag signal out there now. Safety car time \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Oh no, what\u2019s happened to Lando Norris? A big lockup from the McLaren has him spinning in circles on the straight \u2013 he\u2019s lost positions, taken a big knock to the tyre and will need to box soon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 29\/51: Leclerc is miles behind Hadjar, so the Red Bulls have third and fourth locked up. They could afford to bring their guys into the pit lane.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Why don\u2019t Red Bull simply bring Verstappen into the pit lane, given his tyre problems? Yeah \u2026 I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n \u201cThe softs can clearly do half the race,\u201d vents Verstappen on the radio.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 27\/51: Verstappen is again having to defend some attacks from Hadjar. \u201cCan I go for it, or what?\u201d is the \u2013 very relevant \u2013 question from the Frenchman, who is advised to \u201ckeep it clean\u201d by team engineers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n George Russell is about to lap the back-marker, Valtteri Bottas, which shows how much quicker his Mercedes is than those teams at the back of the grid. It\u2019s now a 10-second lead for the British driver, a comfortable day for him, although he\u2019s just revealed he \u201cnibbled\u201d the wall on a recent turn. Shouldn\u2019t be too much of an issue.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 24\/51: Hadjar still looks speedy and in better shape than his Red Bull teammate, Verstappen, although the Dutchman is still ahead in third.<\/p>\n Norris, like Verstappen, looks short of speed on the medium tyre and is languishing in P7.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 22\/51: So, 20 drivers and 10 teams remain in this race and we\u2019re not far off the halfway mark.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Oh dear, it\u2019s not a pit stop for Alonso, the veteran driver is OUT of the race altogether. A double DNF for Aston Martin and a nightmare weekend for them, with major car issues.<\/p>\n Alonso retires from the race. Photograph: Andrej Isakovi\u0107\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.01 EDT<\/p>\n Carlos Sainz in the Williams is the first driver to head for the pit lane. Will that trigger others to do the same? We\u2019ll see \u2013 Alonso is also pitting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 20\/51: \u201cTell him to keep pushing,\u201d says Hadjar to the Red Bull engineers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The word from the Red Bulls is that their soft tyre is performing better than the medium, so will Hadjar and Verstappen swap positions? Surely Max wouldn\u2019t allow such a thing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 19\/51: Will some of the constructors think about boxing soon? Verstappen will want his tyres changing, but it\u2019s a risk to go onto soft tyres so early.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hamilton has now gone beyond Norris and into sixth. Lando\u2019s struggles continue.<\/p>\n A little further back, Antonelli has overtaken Ollie Bearman. Maybe the championship leader could get among the serious points here? He\u2019s now 10th.<\/p>\n Hamilton steers his car. Photograph: Darko Bandi\u0107\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.45 EDT<\/p>\n Lap 16\/51: Hamilton looks to have more speed than Norris and the McLaren nearly makes a mistake that lets his fellow countryman through. A battle for sixth spot happening, there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What annoys me slightly about the TV coverage of these races is we see precious little of the leading car. OK, Russell\u2019s position hasn\u2019t come under much threat, but it would help to see how he is driving, and the gap in physical terms to Piastri.<\/p>\n Spectators watch from a footbridge as Russell competes. Photograph: Andrej Isakovi\u0107\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.35 EDT<\/p>\n Lap 14\/51: Hmm, maybe Verstappen has stepped off the gas a little; could be related to that tyre issue we heard him complain about. He\u2019s lost some pace and probably won\u2019t challenge Piastri in the next couple of laps \u2013 and it\u2019s too early for a pit stop.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 as it stands:<\/p>\n Russell<\/p>\n Piastri<\/p>\n Verstappen<\/p>\n Hadjar<\/p>\n Leclerc<\/p>\n Norris<\/p>\n Hamilton<\/p>\n Gasly<\/p>\n Colapinto<\/p>\n Bearman<\/p>\n Kimi Antonelli is now 12th, having muscled his way pay Alex Albon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 12\/51: The frenetic feel of the first few laps has calmed down a bit. The biggest threat is still being offered by Verstappen, in terms of overtaking. It won\u2019t be long before Oscar Piastri feels him breathing down his neck.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 10\/51: Kimi Antonelli speeds past Esteban Ocon is now P13. Meanwhile, Verstappen \u2013 who has been rapid so far \u2013 is heard complaining his medium compound tyres are not very good on the Red Bull radio.<\/p>\n We expect a one-stop strategy from pretty much everyone in this race, by the way.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lance Stroll is out. He parks up with a car issue and is DNF. That\u2019s an 11th DNF of the season for the Aston Martin driver.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 8\/51: The next task for Verstappen will be to close on Piastri. The Australian hasn\u2019t been able to trouble Russell yet; with the Mercedes happily out in front.<\/p>\n As for Antonelli? He has gained a couple of places, but is still down in 14th. A win from here would be astonishing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hadjar has allowed Verstappen to overtake him, too, so the Dutchman has gained an incredible five places on his qualifying position; he started P8 and is now third.<\/p>\n A podium surely beckons for him given how much speed he\u2019s got. He may have his eyes on a bigger prize.<\/p>\n Red Bull’s Verstappen and Hadjar in action. Photograph: Jakub Porzycki\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.37 EDT<\/p>\n Lap 6\/51: Verstappen has absolutely stormed beyond Leclerc into fourth. What have Red Bull been doing to their cars in the past 24 hours? They look so much faster today than they did in qualifying.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThese Red Bulls could be a bit of a problem,\u201d Piastri is told by an engineer on the McLaren team radio. Yep, they look quick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 4\/51: Hadjar attempts another move, but cannot get around Leclerc, who had the pace to see off the Red Bull \u2026 well, only for a time. Hadjar eventually gets his man! The Red Bull is into third, behind Piastri and Russell.<\/p>\n His teammate Verstappen seems to have a bit of pace, too.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lap 3\/51: Most of the drivers at the front of the race have chosen soft tyres, other than Russell, Norris and Verstappen, who are on mediums. Hadjar has regained his P4 spot from Norris, and Verstappen has now gone beyond the Brit, but there\u2019s a lot of jostling for places at the moment, positions changing all the time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Norris overtook Hadjar on the straight going into the second lap, a great move by the McLaren. Verstappen sneaks inside Hamilton so climbs into P6, with Hamilton caught off guard, there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.07 EDT<\/p>\n Lap 2\/51: Russell leads, then, followed by Piastri, then it\u2019s Leclerc, Norris, then Hadjar.<\/p>\n Antonelli is down in 17th, so has actually lost a place, rather than working his way up the field. Plenty of racing to do, of course, and that\u2019s the first lap done.<\/p>\n Russell of Great Britain leads Piastri, Leclerc, and the rest of the field at Baku City Circuit. Photograph: Joe Portlock\/LAT ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.10 EDT<\/p>\n The first corner is upon us very quickly at Baku, and it\u2019s Piastri who squeezes ahead of Leclerc to take second spot and Norris is up into third, too. A good start for the McLarens as Russell steers clear of trouble to remain in first.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lights out<\/p>\n \u2026 and away we goooooo!!!<\/p>\n 51 laps to come. Let\u2019s see what happens on the all-important first turn.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n According to said broadcaster, the winds have dropped in Baku and we\u2019re set for rather favourable racing conditions on a track that, although twisty, can lend itself to overtaking well. It\u2019s always a gorgeous setting in Baku with the 6km-long track right in the heart of the old city.<\/p>\n Some good views and pictures to be had.<\/p>\n George Russell drives to the grid. Photograph: Pavel Bednyakov\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Swedish House Mafia is now blaring out on the track, as Russell gets on his Mercedes scooter to head for the track and shares a few \u2013 and I mean only a few \u2013 words with Sky Sports.<\/p>\n If you want the vibe following at home, go for it:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fair play, the Azerbaijan anthem is an absolute banger. And it has just been terrifically performed on track.<\/p>\n If you remember, last year, before lights out, George Russell and Lando Norris were seen giggling as a group of local children belted the anthem out with plenty of passion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re about to get the anthems and all the pre-race pomp and ceremony. The drivers and teams are making their on-track adjustments before it all starts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Lando Norris hasn\u2019t been a particularly happy bunny this season. He described McLaren\u2019s lack of pace as \u201cpretty pants\u201d in the lead-up to this Grand Prix, and fifth on the grid to start the race reflects that mediocre performance by the reigning world champion.<\/p>\n With Piastri qualifying third, can Norris rein in his teammate and finish on the podium this weekend? It would seem doubtful, in truth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Whether races take place in the Middle East towards the end of the season, or not, could affect this season\u2019s F1 world championship. Kimi Antonelli leads<\/a> his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 81 points with nine meetings remaining, as it stands. If that number was reduced the Italian could close it out even sooner than might be expected.<\/p>\n Formula One is pressing ahead with its original plan to finish the season with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, although a contingency is understood to be in place to host a final round in Imola if the volatile situation means both meetings have to be cancelled.<\/p>\n \u201cI personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East,\u201d said Ferrari\u2019s Lewis Hamilton. \u201cFrom what I have read, things seem OK out there, but I don\u2019t have all the information and I don\u2019t know what the risk levels are. I trust in Stefano [Domenicali, F1\u2019s chief executive] to make the right decision for the sport. And I do hope we get to go there.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s a big opportunity,\u201d says Antonelli, speaking to the broadcasters. \u201cThe car is very quick, so hopefully we can gain a lot of places.\u201d<\/p>\n The 20-year-old is a confident young man.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Is there any chance Kimi Antonelli can win this race from way back on the grid? Well, at Monza he came back from 19th to take victory <\/a>and Baku, with its long straights, has similarly generous opportunities for overtaking. But he cannot afford to be caught in incidents in the midfield.<\/p>\n \u201cRace smart in the early stages tomorrow and I am sure he has the pace to climb his way back up the field,\u201d said the Mercedes deputy team principal, Bradley Lord.<\/p>\n His teammate, George Russell, said: \u201cYou can\u2019t discount Kimi. You know, started 19th in Monza and now he\u2019s in 16th, so, yeah, he should be leading by a few laps early this time.\u201d He added: \u201cHe\u2019s been flawless this season. It\u2019s the first mistake he\u2019s made in a qualifying or race this whole year.\u201d<\/p>\n Mercedes pair Russell and Antonelli on the drivers parade before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Photograph: Sam Bloxham\/LAT ImagesShare<\/a>Reminder of qualifying positions<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how the grid looks at the start of the race:<\/p>\n Russell (Mercedes)<\/p>\n Leclerc (Ferrari)<\/p>\n Piastri (McLaren)<\/p>\n Hadjar (Red Bull)<\/p>\n Norris (McLaren)<\/p>\n Hamilton (Ferrari)<\/p>\n Gasly (Alpine)<\/p>\n Verstappen (Red Bull)<\/p>\n Sainz (Williams)<\/p>\n Colapinto (Alpine)<\/p>\n Bearman (Haas)<\/p>\n Lawson (Racing Bulls)<\/p>\n Albon (Williams)<\/p>\n Ocon (Haas)<\/p>\n Lindblad (Racing Bulls)<\/p>\n Antonelli (Mercedes)<\/p>\n Bortoleto (Audi)<\/p>\n Hulkenberg (Audi)<\/p>\n Alonso (Aston Martin)<\/p>\n Perez (Cadillac)<\/p>\n Stroll (Aston Martin)<\/p>\n Bottas (Cadillac)<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix \u2013 with a rare Saturday race day for us all to enjoy. The big story from qualifying yesterday was runaway World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashing out<\/a>, meaning he will start today\u2019s race 16th on the grid, handing the initiative to his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who claimed pole position.<\/p>\n Antonelli said his crash was \u201cstupid\u201d but also \u201ca good way to come back to earth\u201d after a stunning few weeks for the young Italian driver, who won the Italian and Spanish Grands Prix to take his tally to eight race wins so far this season.<\/p>\n Second fastest in qualifying in Baku was Ferrari\u2019s Charles Leclerc second, with Oscar Piastri third.<\/p>\n The race gets under way at 3pm local time in Azerbaijan, which translated to midday UK time. We\u2019ll bring you all the relevant buildup, followed by lap-by-lap updates, well near enough anyway. Can Antonelli pull off the improbable in Baku, can Russell close the gap to the championship leader, or can one of the Ferraris or McLarens make an impact? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n