Leclerc fastest in Azerbaijan practice despite earlier crash

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pipped Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to nan fastest clip astatine nan extremity of a first believe convention astatine nan Azerbaijan Grand Prix punctuated by 3 reddish flags.

Verstappen replaced Hamilton astatine nan apical of nan timesheets pinch his last thigh of nan session, moving 0.313 seconds clear of nan seven-time world champion.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez besides group his fastest clip connected his last lap, moving up to 3rd place, 0.376secs disconnected nan pace.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, Verstappen’s closest challenger successful nan championship, was fourth, 0.481secs down nan Dutchman.

One of nan red-flag stoppages was caused by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had been consistently fastest successful nan first half of nan convention until he slid consecutive connected astatine Turn 15 midway done nan session.

The Ferrari’s beforehand suspension was damaged but Leclerc’s car should beryllium repairable successful clip for nan 2nd session, from 14:00 BST.

The first red-flag play was caused by debris connected way and nan last 1 a clang for Argentine Franco Colapinto successful nan Williams.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was 5th fastest from nan 2nd McLaren of Oscar Piastri, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Mercedes’ George Russell and Leclerc, whose clip connected mean tyres earlier his clang was still bully capable for ninth fastest time.

All nan times up of him were group connected soft tyres.

Verstappen and Red Bull appeared astatine this early shape to beryllium successful amended style than they were during a difficult play astatine nan Italian Grand Prix past clip out.

The Dutchman is facing an onslaught from Norris and McLaren successful nan championship, and is 62 points clear pinch 8 races remaining.

McLaren person decided to inquire Piastri to backmost Norris’ bid to overhaul Verstappen if nan circumstances arise.

Norris has been capable to adjacent successful connected Verstappen complete nan past 2 races. But aft struggling successful Monza, Verstappen was speedy each clip he was retired connected way successful nan first convention successful Baku.

Red Bull person introduced a caller level for this play that they dream will statesman to reside nan problems pinch inconsistent balance, of which Verstappen has been complaining successful caller races.