Liam Lawson promoted to 11th for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Saturday 26 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Liam Lawson, Carlos Sainz
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 11th after qualifying 12th. He was promoted one place following a five-place grid penalty for Carlos Sainz. Meanwhile, George Russell secured pole position after championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashed out of qualifying.
Key facts
4 facts
- George Russell took pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Kimi Antonelli will start 16th after a qualifying crash
- Liam Lawson will start 11th on the grid
- Carlos Sainz received a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
George Russell secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after championship leader Kimi Antonelli hit the wall during qualifying. Russell's lap of 1:42.526 was 0.837 seconds faster than second-placed Charles Leclerc. This marks Russell's first pole since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.
Antonelli, who leads Russell by 81 points, damaged his wheel and suspension after hitting the barrier at the first corner during the opening phase of qualifying. The Mercedes driver will start the race from 16th place.
New Zealander Liam Lawson will start 11th on the grid after being promoted from 12th. Lawson missed out on Q3 by 0.177 seconds. He was moved up one position following a five-place grid penalty for Carlos Sainz, who failed to slow for yellow flags.
Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren, followed by Lando Norris in fifth. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, returning from injury, qualified fourth. Max Verstappen finished eighth after facing power unit problems and a yellow flag.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on the exact time Lawson missed Q3 by, with one stating 0.103 seconds and others stating 0.177 seconds
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and RNZ.
