# Russell Beats Leclerc for Baku Pole

> George Russell takes pole in Azerbaijan GP after Kimi Antonelli crash.
- Title: Russell Beats Leclerc for Baku Pole · Sky Sports | Shortify
- Summary: George Russell takes pole in Azerbaijan GP after Kimi Antonelli crash. George Russell claims pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Kimi Antonelli…
- Keywords: george russell, charles leclerc, kimi antonelli, azerbaijan gp, ferrari, mercedes, mcclaren, red bull, baku, qualifying, pole position, Russell
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13591646/azerbaijan-gp-george-russell-claims-baku-pole-from-charles-leclerc-as-kimi-antonelli-crashes-in-q1
- Author: Nigel Chiu
- Published: 2026-09-25T14:22:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: george russell, charles leclerc, kimi antonelli, azerbaijan gp, ferrari, mercedes, mcclaren, red bull, baku, f1, qualifying, pole position
## Pole Position Race
George Russell claims pole for Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
## Kimi Antonelli Crash
Antonelli crashes in Q1 after hitting inside wall.
## Russell's Speed
Russell beats Leclerc by eighth tenths in Q3.
## Antonelli's Reaction
Antonelli says mistake was unnecessary and he'll try better.

> I turned in and had a lot more front end compared to the lap before and I touched the wall
## Russell's Confidence
Russell says biggest margin of his career.

> It's probably the biggest margin of my whole career, even including F2 and F3 days
## Qualifying Results
Russell starts 16th with Antonelli out of race.
## Championship Gap
Russell cuts 81-point deficit to Antonelli.
## Other Qualifiers
Piastri third, Hadjar fourth after injury return.
## Max Verstappen
Verstappen eighth after yellow flags.
## Grid Penalties
Sainz and Perez get grid penalties.
## Race Day
Race starts Saturday at 12pm with build-up from 10:30am.
## Key takeaway

George Russell claims pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Kimi Antonelli crashes in Q1, cutting his championship lead to 81 points.