George Russell secured pole position for Mercedes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, while his team‑mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed into a wall during the qualifying session.
The qualifying round saw Russell post the fastest lap, earning him the front‑row start for the upcoming race. His performance placed Mercedes in a strong position heading into the Sunday event.
Antonelli’s run was halted when he lost control and hit the barrier, forcing him to abandon his qualifying attempt. The incident left him unable to improve his grid position for the Grand Prix.
Russell’s pole means he will start the race from the front of the grid, whereas Antonelli will have to recover from a lower starting spot, a development that could influence the ongoing championship battle.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place on the Baku City Circuit, a street track noted for its long straights and tight corners, and forms part of the Formula 1 World Championship calendar.
<small>Source: BBC Sport — read the original story there.</small>
