{
  "id": 9786717,
  "title": "‘Perfect lap’ gives Russell pole for Azerbaijan GP as Antonelli crashes out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/perfect-lap-gives-russell-pole-for-azerbaijan-gp-as-antonelli-crashes",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T14:47:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/25/perfect-lap-gives-russell-pole-for-azerbaijan-gp-as-antonelli-crashes-out"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "George Russell secured his first pole position in seven races at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday, leveraging his Mercedes teammate, world champion Kimi Antonelli, who crashed during qualifying. Russell, 28, clocked a best lap of 1:42.526, surpassing nearest rival Charles Leclerc by 0.837 seconds. This marked Russell's first pole since the Austrian Grand Prix in June and his 12th career pole. Antonelli crashed heavily in Turn One during Q1, sustaining damage that ended his participation, finishing the session in 16th. Russell, who had never qualified better than fifth in Baku, expressed delight at his performance, describing it as \"the perfect lap\" with a significant margin of his career-best lap. McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished third, followed by Isack Hadjar of Red Bull, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, and Max Verstappen. Verstappen was eighth, ahead of Carlos Sainz, who qualified in 10th, his first top 10 in 2022, and Franco Colapinto in the second Alpine. Antonelli's crash was the first of his season, following his qualifying position. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held on Saturday due to the national day of remembrance on September 27.",
  "summary": "The 28-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 42.526 seconds to beat nearest rival Charles Leclerc.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "F1 leader Kimi Antonelli hits the wall in Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/f1-leader-kimi-antonelli-hits-the-wall-in-azerbaijan-grand-prix",
        "published": "2026-09-25T12:32:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "F1 Azerbaijan GP: George Russell takes dominant pole as Kimi Antonelli crashes out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/f1-azerbaijan-gp-george-russell-takes-dominant-pole-as-kimi-antonelli",
        "published": "2026-09-25T13:14:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Russell takes pole position for Azerbaijan GP after championship leader Antonelli crashes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/russell-takes-pole-position-for-azerbaijan-gp-after-championship",
        "published": "2026-09-25T13:16:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Russell takes pole in Baku as Antonelli hits wall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/russell-takes-pole-in-baku-as-antonelli-hits-wall",
        "published": "2026-09-25T13:53:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘Perfect lap’ gives Russell pole for Azerbaijan GP as Antonelli crashes out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/perfect-lap-gives-russell-pole-for-azerbaijan-gp-as-antonelli-crashes-9790196",
        "published": "2026-09-25T14:47:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "George Russell must meet the moment in the Azerbaijan GP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/george-russell-must-meet-the-moment-in-the-azerbaijan-gp",
        "published": "2026-09-25T15:40:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}