F1 is in Azerbaijan for what is typically one of the most action-packed Grand Prix races of the year.
Max Verstappen will be looking to extend his title lead after crashing at 200mph in last year’s race with just four laps left.
But he will have Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc hot on his heels as well as team-mate Sergio Perez, who won in Baku last year and also took the chequered flag in Monaco a fortnight ago.
Here’s how you can watch the practice, qualifying and race live from Azerbaijan.
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Hamilton outside top 10
Behind the wheel of that car will be a very unhappy Lewis Hamilton.
The weekend is still in its early stages, but only being 12th fastest in P2 does not bode well for the Mercedes star.
Credit: EPA FP2 is done – Leclerc leads the way
Ferrari’s Leclerc sets the pace ahead of the Red Bull duo. Perez is 0.248 seconds off the pace and Verstappen 0.356 seconds.
Alonso is the shock in fourth place for Alpine, ahead of countryman Sainz, who is in P5.
Russell, 7th, gets the better of his Mercedes teammate Hamilton, who is down in 12th in another miserable outing for the seven-times world champion.
Bump in the road
It is proving challenging for the drives, especially the long straight, which is 2.2km long.
It is not just the Mercedes that is bouncing, it is evident all cars are experiencing problems.
There come be some unhappy comments form the drivers about the surface this evening.
Leclerc has a lock up
The Ferrari man has a lock up and goes into the escape road at turn seven.
He keeps out of the barriers and is now on his way back to the pits.
And now Perez has done the same at turn 15. No contact with the barriers but boy, some are getting close.
Perez and Verstappen swap places
The Mexican, who won last out in Monaco, is still on the pace as he leapfrogs Verstappen into second place behind Leclerc.
Alonso is now up to fourth and Sainz in fifth.
Meanwhile, Schumacher makes another error but keeps out of the wall.
Mercedes duo on flying runs
Russell, who has until now been slower than his teammate, now gets on top.
He moves into sixth with a time that is 0.742seconds off Leclerc in P1, while Hamilton is slower on his lap after making a mistake in sector one.
Hamilton is now in ninth place behind Tsunoda and Norris.
Leclerc sets the pace
The Ferrari man tops the tree and sits ahead of Verstappen, but there is just 0.030 seconds in it.
It IS close. Perez in P3 and Sainz in P4 while Alonso in 5th gives Alpine some confidence.
Frantic scenes in Red Bull
There is a lot of work being done to the rear wing of Verstappen’s car. It was certainly flexing a lot in F1, especially on the long straight.
The world champion is yet to run in FP2 as his team make their final adjustments.
FP2 is go
It was impressive from Red Bull and Ferrari in the first session, can Mercedes get in the mix for the second session?
FP2 about to begin
It’s almost time for another 20 drivers to get a feel for this bewildering Baku circuit.
Hill: The Sergio surge continues
Former world champion Damon Hill believes Sergio Perez is finally living up to the reputation from early on in his career.
The Mexican continued his fine form with the fastest time in the first practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after FP1, Hill said: “It’s what I call the Sergio surge.
“He’s coming on strong, and he feels comfortable and confident.
“He’s been resigned, and he’s now putting in the kind of performances that Red Bull always hoped he would.”
FP1 is done
Perez leads the way. Fresh from his win in Monaco and a new contract in the bag, he leads the way in Baku and sits at the top of the timesheets.
Leclerc is in P2, Verstappen in P3 while Sainz is in P4 to make it two Red Bulls and two Ferraris in the top four.
Alonso fifth, Hamilton six in the best of the rest but both over a second off Perez’s best time.
More misery for under-fire trio Schuamcher, Latifi and Ricciardo who slump to the bottom of the timesheet.
Curious timing
Midway into FP1 and the FIA have released a statement stating the appointment of Tanya Kutsenko as “the first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisor dedicated to motor sport.
“She is Ukrainian born, is an accomplished international motor sport development expert.”
It comes after a backlash over comments made by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Straight fight between Ferrari and Red Bull
It is difficult to see past these two teams right now, however, there is some hope – well maybe.
Hamilton has now popped up in fifth in the timesheets, but still a bit off the pace.
And a quick word on under-fire Daniel Ricciardo, he is the slowest man on track. He is in real danger of losing his seat at McLaren unless he improves.
Still no sign of a Mercedes comeback
Sorry Hamilton/Russell fans, but your drivers are currently in P9 and P12, as there seems to have been little improvement in the one-week break from Monaco.
Yes, of course this is only practice, but the early signs are that they are again off the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari and behind AlphaTauri and Alpine.
Virtual safety car ended
We are back up to full speed again in Baku after the Williams was removed from the track.
Verstappen currently leads the way with a time of 1:46.932. but it is already close with the Ferraris.
He is just 0.067 seconds ahead of Leclerc, who is second. Perez in third, Alonso fourth, Sainz fifth.
Latifi stops on track
Now it is the Williams man who has a problem. He radios his team to tell them his car just switched off.
He is being rolled out of the way by the marshals as the virtual safety car is deployed.
Neither the start Latifi or Schumacher needed to this weekend, as both are under pressure to improve.
Problem for Schumacher
This time he’s not crashed it. He’s clearly got a mechanical problem with his Haas, with water pouring from his car.
Schumacher, who crashed big in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, had been warned by his team he could not afford another smash.
But this is clearly not his fault as he pulls to the side of the track after receiving instructions from his team.
Green light in Baku
First practice is underway in Azerbaijan. This street track will be an altogether new experience for the drivers in this year’s cars.
Expect plenty of running as team maximise the chance to get as much data as they can.
The long straights and 90 degree corners poses a completely different challenge to the Monaco GP.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
