Azerbaijan GP: Russell takes pole as Antonelli's crash opens door in F1 title fight

George Russell will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from pole after a dominant qualifying session in Baku, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli was left watching from the garage after hitting the wall.

Russell had looked quick throughout the weekend and delivered when it mattered, finishing more than eight-tenths of a second clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Oscar Piastri took third for McLaren, with Isack Hadjar fourth on his return to action.

For Mercedes, however, the afternoon could hardly have been more different on the other side of the garage.

Antonelli hit the wall during Q1 and damaged the front-left of his car.

The Italian had already posted a time quick enough to move into Q2, but the damage meant he could go no further. He will start Saturday's race well down the grid.

It is an unusual mistake from a driver who has been difficult to stop this season.

Antonelli arrived in Azerbaijan with an 81-point championship lead over Russell after winning eight of the opening 14 races, including the previous two.

Russell now has a chance to take a chunk out of that advantage.

His pole lap also underlined just how much pace Mercedes had in Baku. The Briton had already topped both practice sessions on Thursday before putting together what he later described as a “perfect” qualifying lap.

Leclerc admitted he wasn't expecting the gap to be quite so large.

Pole position, though, doesn't guarantee much in Baku.

Only three races at the circuit have previously been won by the driver starting at the front, and its tight streets have produced plenty of unpredictable afternoons.

Russell has given himself the best possible starting point. Antonelli, for once this season, has plenty of work to do.