George Russell will be looking to put a dent in Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 world title ambitions when the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes centre stage on Saturday.

Russell has a golden and much-needed chance to trim his Mercedes team-mate’s commanding 81-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Standings at the Baku City Circuit.

That is after Antonelli surprisingly crashed out by hitting the wall in a rare error during the first session of qualifying on Friday, leaving him down in 16th position on the starting grid this weekend.

Russell took full advantage of that uncharacteristic mistake from the Italian, dominating thereafter to comfortably clinch pole position ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the McLaren of Oscar Piastri.

But he must turn that lead role into just a third victory of the season on the western shores of the Caspian Sea if he is to keep alive his hopes of still taking the title fight to runaway leader Antonelli with only nine races left to go this term.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, September 26 at the Baku City Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The race is due to start at 12pm BST, which 3pm local time in Baku.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is being held a day earlier than usual - on Saturday, rather than the usual Sunday slot for F1 races.

That is to avoid a clash with Remembrance Day in Azerbaijan, which takes place on Sunday (September 27).

1. George Russell (Mercedes)

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

4. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

5. Lando Norris (McLaren)

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

12. Alexander Albon (Williams)

13. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

14. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

16. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

17. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

18. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

In the UK, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is available to watch live on Sky Sports. The main build-up starts at 11am BST on Saturday, with the race itself from 12pm.

Coverage is also available throughout via Sky Sports Main Event.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online through the Sky Go app.

There looks to be no chance of any rain playing a role in what is always an entertaining spectacle regardless.