On The Pit Wall

The final practice session in Baku is complete, and if FP3 is anything to go by, we could be in for an incredibly close qualifying battle. Max Verstappen finished FP3 fastest with a 1:43.922, but there was almost nothing separating the leading three drivers. George Russell was only 0.099 seconds behind, while Lewis Hamilton finished just 0.111 seconds away from Verstappen. Three drivers. Three different possibilities. Just over a tenth separating them. Headsets on and timing screens up — let's break down FP3 from Baku. Verstappen Strikes Back Max Verstappen put Red Bull at the top of the timing screens when it mattered. His 1:43.922 was enough for P1, giving Red Bull some encouragement heading into qualifying. Max certainly doesn't have a comfortable advantage. Russell and Hamilton are right behind him, meaning finding even a tenth of a second could make a huge difference when we get to qualifying. That's exactly what you want before the battle for pole. Russell Keeps the P...

FP2 is complete at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix…and George Russell is STILL the man to beat in Baku. After topping FP1, Russell did it again in FP2 with a 1:43.347. Kimi Antonelli made it a Mercedes 1-2, Max Verstappen took P3, Ferrari put both cars inside the top five, and McLaren continued searching for more performance and we also had another Baku red flag. There's plenty to talk about. George Russell — P1 What a start to the weekend for George Russell. FP1 — P1 FP2 — P1 His fastest FP2 lap was: 1:43.347 Nobody really got close. Russell finished more than half a second ahead of his Mercedes teammate. Mercedes look seriously quick around Baku.If this continues into FP3 and qualifying? George has to be right in the conversation for pole position. Kimi Antonelli — P2 Championship leader Kimi Antonelli bounced back from his disrupted FP1 to take P2 and considering the problems he had earlier in the day? That's a strong recovery. His FP1 running had been limited by a hydraulic issu...

Formula 1 has hit the streets of Baku, and FP1 for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is officially DONE and straight away, we've got plenty to talk about. George Russell goes fastest for Mercedes. Max Verstappen takes P2. Ferrari put Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton into P3 and P4. Meanwhile, McLaren had a much more difficult start to the weekend, with Oscar Piastri P6 and Lando Norris all the way down in P14. Let's get into it! Russell Starts Baku on Top George Russell has started his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend exactly where he wanted to. P1 — 1:45.387. Russell finished 0.400 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, immediately putting Mercedes at the top of the timing screens. George also had a tow down Baku's enormous main straight on his fastest lap, but it was still an impressive start.Mercedes looked quick from the beginning and after everything we've seen from them in 2026, that's hardly a surprise. Max Verstappen — P2 Max Verstappen wasn't far behind....

Formula 1 is back on the streets of Baku, and it's time for my race predictions! Baku is one of those circuits where you never really know what's going to happen. You've got the incredibly tight Old Town section, massive straights, heavy braking zones and walls waiting to punish even the smallest mistake and with Safety Cars, strategy and slipstream all potentially playing a part, I'm expecting another unpredictable Azerbaijan Grand Prix. So here are my predictions!  P1 — George Russell I'm going with George Russell to WIN the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! Mercedes have been one of the major forces of the 2026 season, and I think Baku could suit George perfectly. If he can stay out of trouble and Mercedes get the strategy right, I'm predicting George to stand on the top step. My winner: George Russell.   P2 — Max Verstappen I've got Max Verstappen finishing P2. Never count Max out around Baku. He's already a two-time winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and Red...

The first Formula 1 Grand Prix around Madring is officially in the history books a nd what a frustrating afternoon it was for Lando Norris. After taking a sensational pole position on Saturday, Lando looked like he was on course to become the first Formula 1 winner around Madrid's new circuit. Instead, a badly timed Virtual Safety Car completely changed the race. Kimi Antonelli took the victory, Max Verstappen finished P2, and Lando had to settle for P3. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri's afternoon was compromised almost immediately after suffering front-wing damage on the opening lap. Let's get into everything that happened in Madrid. Lando Leads From Pole After beating Antonelli to pole by just 0.011 seconds, Lando started Sunday's race with the championship leader alongside him and Antonelli immediately attacked. The Mercedes driver tried to challenge Lando through the opening corners but ran off the circuit, while Max Verstappen was also involved in a chaotic opening sequen...

Madrid qualifying is complete and…LANDO NORRIS IS ON POLE!  What a turnaround this has been. After missing almost all of FP2 because of a gearbox problem, Lando bounced back in FP3 and then delivered when it mattered most and he didn't just take pole.He beat Kimi Antonelli by only…0.011 SECONDS!  We've got Lando on pole, Antonelli alongside him, Max Verstappen P3, Lewis Hamilton P4 and a much tougher qualifying session for Oscar Piastri in P7. There is A LOT to talk about. Here's my On the Pitwall Madrid qualifying reaction!  Lando Norris — POLE POSITION! Let's start with the biggest story. LANDO. NORRIS. P1. Lando produced a 1:31.824 when it mattered to take pole position in Madrid and when you look at his entire weekend, it makes the result even more impressive. FP1 — P6 FP2 — Almost no running FP3 — P4 Qualifying — P1 🥇 After that gearbox problem cost him valuable track time on Friday, Lando had some catching up to do. He needed a strong FP3. He go...

 FP3 in Madrid is complete — and things are getting seriously interesting ahead of qualifying! After McLaren struggled to get themselves into the fight on Friday, the Papaya boys have bounced back in a big way, with Oscar Piastri finishing P3 and Lando Norris P4 but at the very top? Kimi Antonelli is fastest once again. Ferrari are looking dangerous, Max Verstappen is still hanging around, and we even had crashes and red flags during a dramatic final practice session. Here's my On the Pitwall FP3 reaction!   Antonelli Is Fastest Again! Let's start with the man at the top. Kimi Antonelli — P1. Antonelli set a 1:32.797 to finish FP3 fastest. After also topping FP2, I think we have to consider Kimi one of the serious favourites for pole position. Mercedes have looked strong throughout the Madrid weekend, and Antonelli seems incredibly comfortable around Madring but the gap behind him is tiny and that's where things get interesting. Leclerc Is Right There ...

FP2 in Madrid is complete, and Friday at Madring has certainly given us plenty to talk about. Mercedes continue to look seriously quick, Ferrari are getting closer, Arvid Lindblad had a big moment, and McLaren had a very mixed session. Oscar Piastri managed to get some important laps on the board. Lando Norris, however? Not a single lap. So, what happened in FP2, and what does it mean heading into Saturday? Here's my reaction from On the Pitwall.  Antonelli Goes Fastest After George Russell topped FP1, it was Kimi Antonelli's turn to put Mercedes at the top in FP2. That means Mercedes have now topped both Friday practice sessions in Madrid. Russell — FP1. Antonelli — FP2. That's a seriously impressive start to the weekend. I already had Mercedes as one of my favourites coming into Madrid, and Friday has only made me more confident that they're going to be fighting for pole position but Mercedes aren't alone at the front… Ferrari Are Getting Closer Ferrari had an...

Formula 1 has officially hit the track in Madrid! FP1 at Madring is complete, and for the first time we've been able to see the drivers properly attacking this brand-new circuit. After all the predictions and questions heading into the weekend, we finally have some actual track action to talk about. Mercedes have started strongly, Ferrari are right in the mix, Max Verstappen is lurking — and McLaren might have some work to do. Here's my reaction to FP1 from On the Pitwall.  Mercedes Start With a 1–2 The biggest story from FP1 has to be Mercedes. George Russell finished fastest with a 1:34.077, while Kimi Antonelli made it a Mercedes 1–2, finishing just under three tenths behind his teammate. That's a seriously strong way to begin the Madrid weekend. I already had Mercedes as one of my favourites coming into this race, and after FP1, I'm feeling even more confident about them. Of course, it's only Friday practice. We don't know the fuel loads, engine modes or exa...

Formula 1 is heading to Madrid, and it's time to get back.This weekend is particularly exciting because we're heading into the unknown. With a new circuit to learn, there are plenty of questions about which teams will be quick, which drivers will adapt fastest and whether we're going to see any surprises. So, the headsets are on and the predictions are locked in. I'm predicting t he entire grid for qualifying and the race  What Can We Expect From Madrid? One of the biggest challenges this weekend is that teams don't have years of race data to work with. That means Friday practice is going to be incredibly important. Teams will be looking at tyre degradation, long-run pace, qualifying performance and different setup options as they try to understand the circuit and there's one section I'm particularly excited to see the cars tackle the huge banked corner should make for some brilliant shots throughout the weekend but once Friday is finished, it's time for...

What. A. Race. The 2026 Italian Grand Prix delivered drama, crashes, strategy, overtaking and one of the drives of the season. Kimi Antonelli has won his home Grand Prix at Monza after starting 19th on the grid. Yes. P19 to P1. George Russell finished second to complete a Mercedes one-two, while Max Verstappen rounded out the podium in third but the final result only tells part of the story. Charles Leclerc crashed out early in Ferrari's home race, we had a red flag, Pierre Gasly couldn't convert his shock pole into a podium, and Antonelli somehow turned what looked like a damage-limitation weekend into an unforgettable victory. Let's get into it. Kimi Antonelli: P19 to P1 Where else could we possibly start? Kimi Antonelli. Coming into Sunday, winning the Italian Grand Prix looked incredibly unlikely. Antonelli had been hit with a back-of-the-grid penalty after taking new power-unit components. That left the championship leader starting all the way down in 19th posit...

Qualifying at Monza has delivered a massive surprise.  After George Russell looked like the driver to beat throughout practice, it was Pierre Gasly who produced the lap when it mattered, taking a sensational pole position for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Russell will join him on the front row, while Oscar Piastri originally qualified third before receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Liam Lawson. That penalty changes the picture behind the front row and gives Ferrari an even better opportunity in front of the Tifosi. Let's get into everything that happened in qualifying. Gasly Produces a Monza Stunner What a performance from Pierre Gasly. Gasly delivered a 1:21.786 to take pole position, beating Russell by just 0.060 seconds. Six hundredths. That's all that separated Gasly from a Mercedes that had looked incredibly strong throughout the weekend. Russell topped FP2 and FP3, so everything appeared to be pointing towards the Mercedes driver being the favourite for pole...

The final practice session for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix is complete, and George Russell has once again sent a warning to the rest of the grid. After topping FP2 on Friday, the Mercedes driver continued his impressive Monza weekend by setting the fastest lap of FP3 but with Lewis Hamilton putting Ferrari into second and Max Verstappen recovering to third for Red Bull, the battle for pole position is far from over. Here’s what happened in FP3 at the Temple of Speed. Russell Is the Man to Beat George Russell finished FP3 at the top of the timesheets with a 1:22.219. It continues an excellent weekend for Russell and Mercedes after he also went fastest during Friday's second practice session. Russell finished 0.226 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton, and at this stage it is becoming increasingly difficult to look past the Mercedes driver as one of the favourites for pole. Mercedes appear to have found a strong setup for Monza's unique combination of long straights, heavy braking zon...

Free Practice 2 is complete at Monza, and after Ferrari dominated FP1, George Russell and Mercedes have responded by going fastest in FP2. Russell topped the session ahead of Charles Leclerc, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third. With Ferrari and Mercedes both showing strong pace and Red Bull having work to do, the battle at the Temple of Speed is starting to get very interesting. Here's On The Pit Wall's reaction to FP2 at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. George Russell Goes Fastest The headline from FP2 belongs to George Russell. Mercedes had already shown promising pace during FP1, when Russell finished third behind the two Ferraris. This time, Russell went to the top. It's an important result for Mercedes and shows that Ferrari might not have everything their own way at their home Grand Prix. Russell has put himself firmly into the conversation heading towards qualifying. Could he be a genuine contender for pole position? Right now, it certainly looks pos...

Formula 1 has arrived at the Temple of Speed, and the 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend is officially underway! Free Practice 1 at Monza gave the Tifosi exactly the start they wanted, with Charles Leclerc leading Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari 1–2. George Russell wasn't far behind for Mercedes, while Liam Lawson impressed for Red Bull and championship leader Kimi Antonelli began his home Grand Prix weekend inside the top five. So, what did we learn from the first practice session at Monza? Ferrari Take First and Second You couldn't ask for a much better start to Ferrari's home Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc topped FP1 with a 1:23.008, putting the Ferrari at the top of the timing screens in front of the Tifosi. Just behind him was teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished only 0.173 seconds away from Leclerc. Seeing the two red cars first and second will certainly get the Ferrari fans excited. Of course, this is only FP1. We don't know the exact fuel loads or programmes each team w...