24 September 2026
George Russell stunned the Formula 1 paddock by topping FP2 at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, with Mercedes appearing to have a significant advantage over McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari. But was Mercedes really as far ahead as the FP2 timesheets suggested? Lando Norris described Mercedes’ pace as a “dagger to the heart”, but the Baku street circuit presents a particularly complex picture. Track evolution, grip levels, engine modes and electrical deployment can all have a major influence on lap time — especially around a circuit where straight-line speed and low-speed traction are so critical. Join Autosport’s Stuart Codling from the Azerbaijan GP paddock for a detailed technical analysis of Mercedes’ FP2 performance, including a deep dive into the telemetry to find out where George Russell gained time over Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. We also examine the latest F1 upgrades brought to Baku by McLaren, Red Bull, Williams and Sauber/Audi, and assess how each team is adapting its car for one of Formula 1’s most demanding street circuits. The analysis covers Mercedes’ braking performance through Turns 3 and 4, straight-line speed, energy deployment and engine mapping, as well as the impact of Baku’s evolving track conditions on the FP2 order. With qualifying still to come, is Mercedes’ pace genuine — or could the competitive picture change when the teams turn up the performance?
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Stuart Codling also brings the latest news from the Baku paddock, including developments surrounding the incoming Cadillac F1 project and its growing technical operation.
For more Formula 1 news, technical analysis, F1 upgrades, telemetry breakdowns and Azerbaijan GP coverage, visit Autosport.com and Motorsport.com.
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