Baku: Kimi Antonelli insists the Formula 1 title race is “not over” as he takes a vast 81-point lead into this week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Although the championship appears nearly decided, Baku has produced unexpected results previously, and the 20-year-old Italian was outpaced by teammate George Russell in both of Thursday's practice sessions.

A year ago, Baku marked the beginning of Oscar Piastri's title collapse. The Australian was leading the driver standings when he nearly stalled on the grid, dropped to the rear of the field, and crashed, all within the opening lap.

That incident initiated a sequence of six races without a podium finish for Piastri, who ultimately watched the championship turn into a battle between eventual champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Antonelli, whose practice running was disrupted by mechanical issues on Thursday, remained cautious in his bid to become the youngest champion in Formula 1 history.

“Until you cross that finish line, it's not over. It's like tennis, one point at a time, here one race at a time," he said. “The sooner it's over, the better it is. Still a long way, and it's not going to be easy. It's going to be intense, but I'm ready to give my best and to keep having fun.”

Distinct differences define the current season. Antonelli's lead is more than double the maximum margin Piastri held last year. Furthermore, the Italian enters the event following consecutive victories, unburdened by the team order controversies that affected Piastri and Norris a year prior.

For his part, Piastri described a “love-hate in some ways” relationship with the circuit as he returned to the venue where he secured victory in 2024 before experiencing a difficult outing in 2025.

“I think probably my best race ever has been at this track and probably my worst race ever has been at this track, so always eventful,” Piastri said.

Russell Leads Practice as Antonelli Suffers Trouble

Antonelli's teammate George Russell set the pace in both practice sessions on Thursday, leading the opening session by 0.4 seconds and outpacing second-placed Antonelli by 0.552 seconds in the second.

Max Verstappen proved the fastest non-Mercedes driver, recording the second-quickest time in the opening session and the third-fastest in the second, followed closely by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in both runs.

Antonelli's running was curtailed by a hydraulic failure that brought his car to a halt on the side of the track during the first session. Arvid Lindblad subsequently struck a wall in second practice, bringing out a red flag.

Title Chasers Look to Recover

The three British drivers trailing Antonelli are each seeking to rebound from difficult performances at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Russell effectively discounted his title ambitions following an uncompetitive drive to fifth place in Madrid, while Norris lost a potential victory due to an ill-timed virtual safety car. Hamilton retired from the race, extending his run without a podium finish to five Grands Prix for Ferrari.

“I'm going to keep fighting every single race until it's mathematically impossible, but it doesn't change how I go about my job," Russell said Wednesday. "There's obviously a huge deficit, but it's not even really a consideration right now.”

Red Bull Retains Faith in Hadjar

Red Bull is backing Isack Hadjar's recovery and long-term capability in the expectation that the young French driver will develop into a leading competitor.

Hadjar faced a challenging day as an engine failure during first practice limited his track time upon returning to F1 machinery. He recovered to post the ninth-fastest time in the second session.

Hadjar is competing in Baku despite acknowledging lingering discomfort from a wrist fracture that sidelined him for the previous three races. He has also secured a contract extension to partner Max Verstappen through 2027.

Wrist injuries can cause recurring complications. Lance Stroll rushed back following wrist fractures sustained in a 2023 pre-season cycling accident, but ultimately missed a race in 2025 after requiring follow-up surgery to address ongoing pain.

Saturday Race Amid Calendar Adjustments

The event features a non-standard schedule, with the main race scheduled for Saturday to accommodate a national day of remembrance in Azerbaijan on Sunday. Consequently, practice took place on Thursday with qualifying set for Friday.

The fixture initiates a run of three consecutive race weekends, incorporating an additional round in Malaysia next week that retains branding from the cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix.

AP