The short version
- George Russell recorded the fastest lap in first practice, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and setting a benchmark for the weekend.
- Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was forced to stop on track with a hydraulic leak, preventing him from completing laps on soft tires.
- Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton posted competitive times, while several other competitors faced technical or driving errors.
George Russell established himself as the fastest driver during the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Mercedes pilot topped the timing sheets, finishing approximately 0.4 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. This performance marks a significant moment for Russell, who has not secured a grand prix victory since his win in Austria earlier this year. His pace suggests that Mercedes may be well-positioned to challenge at the front of the grid as the weekend progresses.
The session was notably disrupted for Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader. Although he initially demonstrated strong speed on hard tires, becoming the fastest driver in the early stages, his progress was halted by a technical failure. Antonelli stopped on track at Turn One during his first attempt to run on soft-compound tires. Smoke was observed emerging from the cooling vents of his engine cover, indicating a hydraulic leak. This incident forced him to miss roughly half of the available practice time, leaving him with substantial work to complete before qualifying.
Despite the setback, Antonelli’s final timed lap placed him fifth overall, though he finished 0.878 seconds behind Russell’s best effort. The gap in timing is partly attributable to his inability to test the softer tire compounds, which are typically used for qualifying and race starts. Teams often use the first practice session to gather data on these tires, meaning Antonelli will need to rely more heavily on simulation data or second-session performance to calibrate his car setup.
Ferrari appeared competitive in the opening session, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton securing third and fourth positions respectively. Both drivers recorded times just over 0.4 seconds off Russell’s pace, placing them closely behind Verstappen. However, neither Ferrari driver completed runs on the soft tires during this session. The teams opted for varied programs, suggesting they may be prioritizing other aspects of car setup or tire management over outright lap time in the initial practice.
The middle of the grid saw Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad finish seventh and eighth. They outpaced Haas driver Esteban Ocon, who is currently under pressure regarding his future in Formula One. Ocon recently admitted that he will be a free agent for the 2027 season, adding a layer of scrutiny to his current performances. His position behind the Racing Bulls cars highlights the competitive nature of the midfield battle at this circuit.
Audi’s entry into the top ten was marked by Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg finishing ninth and tenth. Both drivers benefited from major upgrades to their cars, which helped them secure positions ahead of several other competitors. However, Hulkenberg’s session was cut short when he experienced a technical problem near the end of practice. This mirrors the reliability issues faced by Antonelli, suggesting that mechanical stability may be a concern for multiple teams in Baku.
Driving errors also played a role in shaping the session’s outcome. Arvid Lindblad made a mistake at Turn Seven, coming to a stop facing the barriers. He was able to reverse out and resume driving, but the incident likely impacted his data collection. Similarly, both Russell and Verstappen encountered difficulties with braking points. Russell ran onto the run-off area at Turn Three, while Verstappen did so at Turn One. These errors indicate that finding the correct balance and braking zones remains a challenge for even the fastest drivers.
As the teams prepare for the second practice session later in the day, Antonelli faces the task of catching up on lost track time. The hydraulic leak will need to be repaired, and he must gather sufficient data on soft tires to ensure his car is properly set up for qualifying. Meanwhile, Russell’s early pace sets a high bar for his rivals. With Verstappen, Leclerc, and Hamilton all within striking distance, the competition for pole position promises to be intense. The coming sessions will reveal whether the initial performance trends hold or if technical issues continue to disrupt the field.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Russell fastest in Baku as Antonelli stops on track
