Live from Azerbaijan

The latest from Baku

Join us all weekend for updates on Alex's progress at Round 15 of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

24 September 2026

26 September 2026

Azerbaijan GP ✅

26 September 2026

Alex is out

Alex’s race is over. He’s hit the barriers at Turn 6 when fighting with OCO.

26 September 2026

LAP 28/51

OCO is right behind Alex now, and the two fight through Turn 2 and 3.

Alex holds off the Haas well, but he’s dropped 3s behind LAW’s P12 from that defending.

26 September 2026

Mid-race Moment 📸

26 September 2026

LAP 25/51

Alex is now 1.2s away from LAW as OCO closes up to 0.7s.

P13 still for Alex, but a changing of the wind speed has him a little worried over the radio over how his car grip has changed.

26 September 2026

PIT to ALEX

Track position-wise, stopping now would give one or two laps of clean air, but then it would cascade back to how we are.

26 September 2026

LAP 22/51

Alex continues circulating on his Softs. Radio comms discuss the benefits of pitting or not, so a stop might come soon.

The sister Williams of SAI just swapped tyres in the pit lane from Mediums, so changes are likely incoming for the midfield soon.

26 September 2026

LAP 19/51

No pit stops for anyone yet, but Alex has opened a slightly larger margin to OCO behind in P14.

There are now 1.7s between Albono and the Haas, with LAW 1.1s ahead, too.

26 September 2026

PIT and ALEX

PIT: Are you happy with your flap?

ALEX: Yes, I am.

26 September 2026

ALEX to PIT

Tyres are coming back.

26 September 2026

LAP 15/51

Radio messages between Alex and the pit wall suggest the strategy is still on Plan A.

We’ll see when that pit stop comes in what will likely be a one-stop race sooner than later.

Albono remains in P13, with a one-second gap ahead and behind.

26 September 2026

LAP 12/51

ANT uses his car’s speed to pass Alex into Turn 3, and Albono drops to P13.

It’s two-pass lap for ANT, though, as he gets LAW at the end of the main straight, too, and Alex is back battling LAW.

26 September 2026

Alex in Azerbaijan 📸

26 September 2026

LAP 11/51

Alex briefly passes LAW down the main straight, but LAW fights back out of Turn 1.

This battling will let ANT claw in some time, however. This is a three-car scrap for P11 at the moment.

26 September 2026

LAP 10/51

ANT, who is recovering from his crash in Qualifying, is now the car chasing down Alex.

The Mercedes man will be close to Alex as this lap progresses.

26 September 2026

LAP 8/51

Alex is keeping closer to LAW and its a 0.7s gap for the time being as he keeps close to the Racing Bulls car.

Still P12 as he finishes his eighth lap of the race on the tail of LAW’s rear wing.

26 September 2026

LAP 6/51

Moves ahead of Alex. BEA passes LAW, and the New Zealander is the car ahead in P11.

26 September 2026

PIT to ALEX

Okay. Tyres are looking good. We're happy with status two.

26 September 2026

LAP 4/51

Alex drops a little behind BEA, with a one-second gap opening between the two.

OCO is the car chasing Albono’s P12, with the Haas 0.8s adrift right now.

26 September 2026

LAP 2/51

The BEA battle continues, with the Haas driver fighting back past down the main straight.

Alex defended well and kept at it through Turns 2 and 3, but relents to slot in behind the Briton in P12.

26 September 2026

LAP 1/51

A solid start from Alex from his launch and he’s up to P11.

Others crowded him into Turn 1, but he got up the inside of BEA at Turn 3, and kept alongside to claim the place by Turn 5.

26 September 2026

PIT to ALEX

Three burnouts.

26 September 2026

Formation Lap 👉

A clean getaway for Albono as the formation lap begins.

26 September 2026

PIT to ALEX

Five. Four. Three…

26 September 2026

Starting Tyres 🛞

Alex will begin this race on Soft tyres.

The grid is a mixture of Mediums and Softs, with the cars around Alex also opting for the red-ringed rubber.

26 September 2026

Talking Temperature ☀️

It’s blue skies with a few clouds out there in Baku right now and a 0% chance of rain.

The air temperature sits at 26°C with a track temp of 462°C as we approach the start of this race.

26 September 2026

National Anthem 🎼

Alex stands at the starting line to stand for the Azerbaijan national anthem.

26 September 2026

Alex's FW48 is on the start-finish straight

26 September 2026

Thirty Minute Warning 🚨

Lights out is coming in just 30 minutes. Are you set for the Azerbaijan GP?

Alex is heading to the grid now so finish up what you’re doing and get ready for the race!

26 September 2026

Alex sends a smile our way as he prepares for 51 laps of Baku

26 September 2026

Race Day 🇦🇿

A Saturday Grand Prix awaits Alex as the Baku City circuit hosts the 2026 Azerbaijan GP.

Albono will start from P12 today to be in the fight for points. Join us here to see how high he can rise.

25 September 2026

🏁 Agonisingly close

25 September 2026

Fine margins 🤏

An impressive 1:45:001 from AA23 means he’s agonisingly close to joining Carlos in Q3 – just three-tenths the difference.

25 September 2026

PIT to Alex

You did a good job, Alex. Good to see a step forward. We’ll always wanted more but I’ll always remind you when we’re out in Q1.

25 September 2026

Final Q2 push now 💥

Now or never for Albono, let’s go!

25 September 2026

5 minutes remaining ⏱️

Back out the garage with a little over five to go in Q2, currently P11.

25 September 2026

PIT to Alex

So hard in-lap. So hard in-lap.

25 September 2026

PIT to Alex

It’s windy, gusty in T1 and T2, probably therefore it’s 16 as well.

25 September 2026

Yellow flag 🟡

Briefly double yellow in Sectors 5 and 6. Cleared now.

25 September 2026

Q2 underway! 🟢

Alex rolls out the garage and Q2 is underway! Fresh softs for Albono.

25 September 2026

Timed to perfection! 😮‍💨

Alex through in P9 and joined by Carlos in P11.

25 September 2026

Best time so far ⏱️

Our Thai racer just clocked his fastest lap of the session so far – 1:46:039 on softs.

25 September 2026

ANT out ❌

A brief yellow flag after ANT hit the wall. He exits via the escape road, session over.

25 September 2026

Time deleted ❌

AA23 ran wide at T16 so his time was deleted. A quick pit and he’s heading back out.

25 September 2026

Building momentum 🧱

A couple of build laps for Albono before his first push.

25 September 2026

Here. We. Go! 🟢

Alex is out the garage and Qualifying is underway in Baku!

25 September 2026

Breaking: Qualifying delayed 🚨

News just in, the start of Qualifying will be delayed because the track is being cleaned after F2.

25 September 2026

Almost go time for Quali ⏳

25 September 2026

🏁 See you for Qualifying at 1pm BST

25 September 2026

Finding time 💪

AA23 takes 1.230s off his best to move up to P15 on two-lap old softs.

25 September 2026

Back out on track 🟢

Just under 13 minutes of FP3 to go and AA23 returns to the action on softs.

25 September 2026

Alex pits ⏸️

Only RUS, ANT, VER left on track as Albono heads to the pit lane.

25 September 2026

Alex to PIT

I can’t generate any front temp. I’m all over.

25 September 2026

Practice run time 🚥

Alex is starting a practice run now after nine laps on the mediums.

25 September 2026

More time off for Alex ✂️

Our Thai racer posts a 1:47:213. He will box after this lap.

25 September 2026

Emerging from the shadows 📸

25 September 2026

1.148s off for AA23 ⚡️

Briefly into P2 for Albono after setting a time of 1:47:505 on five-lap old mediums.

25 September 2026

Alex clocks his first lap ⏱️

1:48:653 on mediums to get the session underway.

25 September 2026

Alex to PIT

Something loose near my leg, my ankle, on the left side.

25 September 2026

And we're off! 🟢

Alex rolls out the garage for the final practice session this weekend and we’re underway in Baku!

25 September 2026

Arriving for FP3 🛴

25 September 2026

Albono's Fan Passport

Show your support for Alex by adding Fan Passport stamps to your collection throughout the season!

Start collecting!

24 September 2026

Qualifying Day 👋

But first up, it’s one final hour of practice running on the way…

24 September 2026

We'll be back tomorrow for FP3 and Qualifying in Baku 👋

24 September 2026

A stunning backdrop! 🏰

24 September 2026

Back on track 👉

Alex is back out for the final 15 minutes – after narrowly avoiding going into the back of BOT exiting the pit lane.

24 September 2026

PIT for Alex ⏸️

Our Thai racer comes into the pit.

“It’s just frustrating, the deployment. It’s just so scrappy.”

24 September 2026

Alex up to P10 💪

Albono clocks 1:46:123 on his second lap back on track.

24 September 2026

The track is clear and AA23 is back on track! 🙌

24 September 2026

Red flag 🔴

LIN collides with the wall. Red flag while the car is recovered and the debris is cleaned up. He hops out and will get a lift back to the pits.

24 September 2026

PIT to Alex

Box this lap.

24 September 2026

FP2 underway 📸

24 September 2026

Fine margins 😮‍💨

Albono shaves 0.079s off to set a new best lap time of 1.349s on lap four.

24 September 2026

First lap in the books ✅

Alex clocks his first time of FP2 – 1:48.789, on mediums.

24 September 2026

And we're off! 🟢

Alex rolls out the pit lane and he’s on mediums for the first time this weekend.

24 September 2026

Welcome back for FP2 👋

We’re back on track for another hour of Free Practice in Baku – follow along for all the latest on Albono.

24 September 2026

Virtual Safety Car 🟡

The VSC is out while LIN and HUL are stopped.

24 September 2026

AA23 moves into P11 ⬆️

Albono has shaved more time off on the softs, cutting 1.233s to 1:46:939.

24 September 2026

AA23 in the pits during FP1 in Baku ⏸️

24 September 2026

Shaving more time off 🤏

Albono sets a new fastest lap on the four-lap old softs, going 1:47:777.

24 September 2026

Change of tyre does the trick! 🛞

AA23 sets his fastest lap so far on the second lap with the softs: 1:48:172.

24 September 2026

PIT to Alex

Second push looking better for the soft.

24 September 2026

PIT to Alex

Box this lap. Tyre switch to soft and straight out.

24 September 2026

Getting quicker ⚡️

Now 15 laps in on the hard composites, Albono has just clocked his fastest lap so far – 1:49:333

24 September 2026

Back out and unchanged – for now ⏳

AA23 back on track and sticking with the hards – for now. Sounds like it won’t be long until the switch to softs.

24 September 2026

Alex pits 🟡

Alex takes the opportunity to pit with the Virtual Safety Car out.

24 September 2026

Finding time 💪

Our Thai racer finds some more time on his last lap setting a new best of 1:49:579.

24 September 2026

AA23 on track in Baku 🫡

24 September 2026

Alex to PIT

I don’t know what it is with just the brakes. I have no feeling on them.

24 September 2026

Alex to PIT

Brakes feel very strange. Also, the car is a lot stiffer than I thought it would be.

24 September 2026

A warm welcome in Baku! 🇦🇿

24 September 2026

Go time in Baku 🟢

Alex rolls out the garage and FP1 is underway in Baku!

24 September 2026

Hello from Baku 👋

We’re counting down to the start of FP1, stay with us for full updates on Alex’s progress in Azerbaijan…