George Russell took the fastest time away towards the end to top FP3 of F1 Azerbaijan GP from Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
The cloudy conditions and light rain didn’t deter a lot in FP3 of F1 Azerbaijan GP weekend at Baku City Circuit. The track was still slippery which caught out multiple drivers and kept the times close to one another at the front between the four teams.
Despite his issues, Mercedes’ George Russell ended up on top in FP3 of F1 Azerbaijan GP with a 1m42.514s lap, which was just 0.013s quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who looked quickest all-through the session after his FP1 crash.
The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri slotted in third and fourth, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who ran some test items too. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had his moments which saw him only sixth after having to do multiple laps.
He was impeded by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez at Turn 15, with the Mexican in seventh ahead of the Williams pair of Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto, where both looked quick all-through the session. The Top 10 was rounded out by Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit was one of the several drivers to cause yellow flag after their moment at various corners. He was joined by Russell, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg in doing so. The likes of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Haas’ Oliver Bearman caused a red flag.
The Frenchman had another power unit issue at the start of the session, while the Brit tried to avoid Turn 1 off but couldn’t pull out in time to hit the barrier. Just outside the Top 10, the Aston Martin pair ended up 11th and 13th, with Fernando Alonso ahead.
He and Lance Stroll sandwiched Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, with his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in 14th ahead of Gasly, Hulkenberg and the Kick Sauber pair of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, to round the 18 runners to have a time onboard.
The new PU elements list saw Guanyu take up his third ES and CE respectively which will result in a grid penalty for Sunday’s grand prix. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Azerbaijan%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20New%20PU%20elements%20for%20this%20Competition.pdf
UPDATE: The stewards has let off Perez for impeding Sainz. The Mexican knew of the Spaniard coming through, but was late to react. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Azerbaijan%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20Impeding%20of%20Car%2055.pdf
Leclerc, meanwhile, has been summoned for failing to slow under yellow flag.
Here’s what was said after Friday in F1 Azerbaijan GP
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