Max Verstappen snatched the fastest time from George Russell in the closing stages of Free Practice 3 at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending Mercedes’ run at the top of the timesheets and setting the stage for a fascinating qualifying session in Baku.
The Red Bull driver posted a 1:43.922 in the final minutes of the session, edging Russell by just one-tenth of a second. Lewis Hamilton was also right in the fight, finishing only a fraction behind the Mercedes driver.
After Russell topped both FP1 and FP2, Mercedes looked capable of carrying its strong Friday form into the final practice session. But Verstappen had other ideas.
As has been the case throughout the weekend, the drivers were reluctant to immediately head onto the track at the start of FP3. Strong winds had blown dust and leaves onto the Baku street circuit, making the already challenging track even more unpredictable.
It took around 20 minutes before the leading drivers began appearing on soft tyres.
Hamilton initially set a benchmark of 1:46.168, before Charles Leclerc lowered it to 1:45.564 on his second flying lap.
Kimi Antonelli and Russell initially occupied third and fourth, although both Mercedes drivers were running the medium compound.
Verstappen then jumped to the top of the timing screens after benefiting from a double slipstream through the final sector. Hamilton responded by setting a 1:45.093, taking the lead again before the halfway point of the session.
The wind continued to make life difficult.
Antonelli and Verstappen both reported how much the conditions were affecting their cars. Verstappen, in particular, complained that his Red Bull felt extremely unsettled through Turn 16.
Hamilton subsequently lowered the benchmark to 1:45.046 on medium tyres, while Russell continued to build his pace.
The lap times continued to fall as the drivers pushed harder. Russell eventually posted a 1:44.715, while Hamilton, Antonelli and Verstappen all had moments off-line at Turns 1, 4 and 15.
Lance Stroll, however, had a much bigger problem.
The Aston Martin driver clipped the inside wall at Turn 1, damaging his car and ending his session early after pulling up behind the barriers.
With just over 15 minutes remaining, Mercedes switched to soft tyres.
Russell immediately responded with a 1:44.177, putting him around six-tenths clear of Antonelli after their first attempts on the red-walled Pirellis.
He improved again on the following lap, lowering the benchmark to 1:44.021.
That looked good enough to keep Mercedes on top.
Then Verstappen arrived.
The Red Bull driver inserted himself between the two Mercedes cars after an aggressive flying lap that included several brushes with the Baku walls.
Russell came dangerously close to disaster himself, running straight on at Turn 7 and narrowly avoiding the barriers. Antonelli also went deep at Turn 1 as the Mercedes drivers continued to push their cars toward the limit.
Neither Mercedes driver could improve their times.
Verstappen could.
With the clock running down, the Dutchman produced a 1:43.922, finally taking the top spot and denying Russell a clean sweep of the practice sessions.
Russell finished second, followed by Hamilton and Antonelli.
Leclerc was fifth and the best of the rest, ahead of Pierre Gasly, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Isack Hadjar finished ninth, with Franco Colapinto completing the top 10.
Carlos Sainz was 11th for Williams, followed by Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.
Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll completed the order.
VERSTAPPEN HAS THE MOMENTUM BUT MERCEDES IS RIGHT THERE
From a Red Bull perspective, Verstappen’s late-session lap is exactly the kind of statement the team would have wanted before qualifying.
But the margins are what make this session particularly interesting.
Russell had been the benchmark throughout Friday, while Hamilton also remained within striking distance. Verstappen only found his advantage in the closing stages, and the top of the timing sheet was separated by a tiny margin.
Baku is also a circuit where confidence matters enormously. With the walls only centimetres away, a driver willing to take those final few tenths can make a huge difference — but so can one small mistake.
FP3 suggests that qualifying could be decided by who is willing to take the biggest risk without crossing the line. Verstappen has shown that he has the pace, but Mercedes has been consistently strong throughout the weekend.
What do you think? Can Verstappen turn this FP3 result into pole position, or will Russell and Hamilton strike back in qualifying? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Adhe is part of the 88 Eight Box Editorial Team, covering JDM culture, motorsport, automotive technology, and industry news. The team focuses on delivering original automotive stories, reviews, and insights for enthusiasts worldwide.
