Antonelli Leads F1 Back to Baku With 81-Point Title Lead
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 23, 2026
Baku Schedule Shift
Formula 1 returns to Baku this weekend with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix set to open round 15 of the 2026 season. The race begins the first triple-header of the year and the first of three triple-headers that will close out the campaign. Formula One Management moved the weekend forward by 24 hours so Sunday will not clash with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, and that pushed practice and qualifying earlier in the week.
The calendar change adds another layer to a race that already carries weight in the title fight. Baku opens a run that includes Malaysia and Singapore, a stretch that offers 83 points in total. Singapore’s Sprint adds even more value to the points available. The timing puts pressure on every contender, with little room to recover between races and even less room for mistakes.
Antonelli Title Lead
Kimi Antonelli arrives in Azerbaijan with a commanding 81-point lead over George Russell. He has won eight of the first 14 races and taken the last two, and he also sits ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in the championship standings. The title race now enters a phase where every result matters, and the next three races could reshape the chase if Antonelli keeps scoring at the same pace.
Baku gives the championship leader a chance to keep control before the season’s final push. The weekend opens a critical run of races, and Antonelli’s advantage means the rest of the field has to cut into his margin quickly. McLaren sees that opening and will bring a substantial upgrade package to Baku in an effort to reduce his lead. The team goes to a track that could expose weaknesses, which raises the stakes for a weekend that already looks pivotal in the standings. For Antonelli, another strong result in Baku would strengthen his hold on the championship before the series moves on to Malaysia and Singapore.
Mercedes And Williams
Baku’s street circuit should suit Mercedes’ engine power, but the layout also puts energy management in focus because of its long straight and heavy braking zones. That combination makes the weekend a test of pace and control, not just raw speed. Mercedes also reaches its final race before a planned major update in Malaysia, so Baku serves as a bridge between the current package and the next step in development.
Williams also brings major changes to Baku, including two new chassis for Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon plus aerodynamic upgrades. The team is introducing a long-awaited FW48 upgrade and trying to end a points drought that dates back to Monaco. James Vowles said the upgrades will not be enough for Williams to regularly fight for points, but he hopes they show the winter-process fixes are working. That leaves Williams with a clear target for the weekend, even if the team does not expect the new parts to transform its results right away.
