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Antonelli Leads F1 Title Race by 81 Points
26 Sep
Summary
- Kimi Antonelli holds an 81-point lead heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- Oscar Piastri experienced a nightmare race at Baku a year ago.
- George Russell was fastest in both Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice sessions.
Kimi Antonelli currently leads the Formula 1 championship by a substantial 81-point margin as the series heads to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Antonelli, seeking to become the youngest-ever F1 champion, expressed caution, stating the title race is far from over and must be approached one race at a time. His preparation was somewhat disrupted by car issues on Thursday, though his teammate George Russell set the fastest times in both practice sessions.
Last year's race at Baku proved disastrous for Oscar Piastri, who, while leading the standings, suffered a dramatic opening lap incident. This marked the beginning of a winless streak for Piastri, allowing Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to battle for the championship. Piastri described his relationship with the Baku circuit as "love-hate," having experienced both his best and worst races there.
In current practice, Russell was a clear leader, with Max Verstappen and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton close behind. Lando Norris reported his McLaren car was "miles off" the required pace. Isack Hadjar, despite a recent wrist fracture, is competing and has signed a contract extension with Red Bull until 2027.
This weekend's Grand Prix is unusually scheduled for a Saturday to accommodate a national day of remembrance on Sunday. This marks the beginning of a demanding three-week period with three races, including an additional round in Malaysia next week.
