STRATEGY GUIDE: What are the tactical options for the Azerbaijan GP?

In other years, four different manufacturers in the first four grid slots would have been cause for note, now it’s merely business-as-usual in an exceptionally competitive 2026 season. One thing that did raise eyebrows, however, is the margin of George Russell’s eventual pole position.

Mercedes have looked rapid all weekend, but with championship leader Kimi Antonelli clipping a wall in Q1, Russell’s run to fifth pole of the season was serene – but his eight-tenths of a second margin to second-placed Charles Leclerc was exceptional.

But what do we have in store on Saturday? Almost certainly a one-stop race, but myriad possibilities within that. All three tyre compounds are in contention, the pit windows are wide, and, while it’s never particularly easy to pass in Baku, the combination of active aero and greater energy deployment options suggest we’re going to see something a bit different…