Azerbaijan GP 2026: Baku practice sets the tone

Max Verstappen led final practice in Baku, while reported incidents, upgrades and Isack Hadjar’s return shaped the build-up to the 2026 Azerbaijan GP.

Max Verstappen set the pace in final practice for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Autosport reporting that he finished FP3 ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Baku City Circuit. Verstappen arrived in Azerbaijan sixth in the drivers' championship on 145 points, while Russell came into the weekend second on 211 for Mercedes.

Practice also brought an incident that carried into the stewards' room. Autosport reported that Hamilton was reprimanded after impeding Liam Lawson during Thursday's second session, after concerns had already been raised about slow cars on the circuit.

Away from the lap times, Autosport reported that Williams introduced a major update package in Baku and that Red Bull said its Azerbaijan package would be its final major upgrade of 2026. BBC Sport also reported that Isack Hadjar would return this weekend after missing the previous three races with a wrist injury, adding another confirmed development before the grand prix.