Russell reveals Mercedes used one set of softs for all of Q3 as only McLaren pitted for fresh rubber

Photo: Race Pictures

10:45, 26 Sep

Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.

George Russell's impressive Azerbaijan Grand Prix pole position came with a tactical detail that says more about Mercedes' confidence than the 0.837-second margin itself.

Mercedes sent Russell out on a single set of soft tyres for the entirety of Q3, uniquely fueling the car for three flying laps. Only McLaren among the front-running teams chose to pit for a fresh set of rubber.

Most other teams also kept the same set of softs on, but ran two flying laps rather than three. Mercedes' willingness to load the car with extra fuel and back itself to improve across three consecutive runs was, as the FIA post-qualifying press conference confirmed, unique on the grid. As GPblog has already reported, the resulting margin was the biggest qualifying gap of Russell's entire career.

'These tyres could keep on going and going'

Speaking after qualifying, Russell confirmed the one-set approach was a deliberate strategy, though he admitted Mercedes had not been entirely certain it was the right call heading into Q3.

We only used one set of tyres in all of Q3. That was my third lap on the tyres. Most of these guys also did two laps on the tyres. I think it was only McLaren who pitted for a new set. But it was just like these tyres could keep on going and going, and we certainly were not sure what the right strategy was going to be come Q3, whether using two sets of tyres or keeping the same set on.

- George Russell

The gamble required nerve. Russell deliberately treated his first Q3 lap as a conservative banker, with the car carrying enough fuel for three attempts. He then improved by a full second between that opening time and his pole-setting 1:42.526, with his final two laps both fast enough for pole on their own.

I knew my first lap wasn't going to be the best because we had all of the fuel in the car, so I just kind of wanted to put a banker on the board because this track requires a lot of commitment. So, I just put a banker on the board and then, obviously, my next two laps were good enough for pole.

- George Russell

What the tyre confidence means for Saturday's race

Pirelli's post-qualifying analysis confirmed that the absence of meaningful soft-compound degradation enabled teams to push for multiple consecutive runs on the same rubber. But while several drivers stayed on one set for two laps, only Mercedes committed to three, suggesting the W17 is treating its tyres more gently than anything else on the grid around Baku's streets.

That advantage could prove significant over 51 laps on Saturday. Long-run data from practice showed Mercedes held the fastest estimated race pace, though McLaren trailed by only 0.05 seconds per lap.

Red Bull was 0.30s behind, with Ferrari a further 0.04s adrift. As GPblog has reported, Russell himself has cautioned against expecting a repeat of his qualifying dominance, warning that Max Verstappen remains the biggest race-day threat based on Friday's practice. Calmer conditions are expected for race day after Friday's gusty qualifying winds.

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F1-stand 2026

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	292
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	211
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	191
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	186
5	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	167
6	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	145
7	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	120
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	71
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	59
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	41
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	31
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	27
13	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	10
15	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	7
16	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
18	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
19	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	3
20	Yuki Tsunoda Yuki Tsunoda	Racing BullsRCB	1
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
23	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0

Show Full Standings

Russell reveals Mercedes used one set of softs for all of Q3 as only McLaren pitted for fresh rubber

'These tyres could keep on going and going'

What the tyre confidence means for Saturday's race

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