Max Verstappen sets fastest time in only practice ahead of Leclerc and Pérez at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The first practice was formally designated as the first (FP1), but in reality it was the only one. In the afternoon, the riders will have the qualification for the Sunday race and on Saturday, according to the new format, the qualification for the sprint and the sprint itself.

A number of riders deployed new powertrain components. The number allowed for some was increased from three to four this week.

The new internal combustion engines, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K were fitted by all drivers with Mercedes engines (except Norris, who fitted them earlier). The new turbo and the new MGU-H were deployed by Sainz, the new turbo by Leclerc. The new MGU-K was fielded by Hülkenberg after problems following the end of the race in Melbourne.

The Mercedes drivers initially complained about the brakes. Carlos Sainz leaned against the wall in which he made a hole, but continued on. Cunoda had to return to the pits with a puncture after hitting the wall.

Pierre Gasly took care of red flags about a quarter of the way through practice. Flames shot out of his car, followed by a thick plume of smoke. At the same time, Kevin Magnussen stopped in the first corner due to a loss of fuel pressure.

The practice also ended prematurely for Gasly’s teammate Esteban Ocon. Alpine riders only 15 laps in total. At the same time, the French team brought quite a lot of new parts to Baku, including a new front and rear suspension.

Training was restarted after 13 minutes. The second half of practice was more relaxed, but we saw a number of off-track trips and other minor issues.

Technical problems with the DRS affected Alonso, who stayed in the pits for a while. Sargeant then had to return to the pits with his front wing unhealthily close to the track.

The fight for the fastest time was fought until the end of the training session. In the end, Max Verstappen set the fastest time ahead of Leclerc and Pérez.

Qualifying starts at 15:00.

The results

Progress

12:30: And Verstappen again in first place… by 0.037s ahead of Leclerc.

12:29: Leclerc in first place.

12:24: Sargeant’s wing is damn low. Williams put on a new nose, but if it’s related…

12:23: Leclerc off the track, Sargeant braked.

12:22 p.m.: Pérez has taken the lead.

12:20: Alonso in the pits due to DRS problems.

12:20: Albon takes the lead, but only for a moment. Verstappen takes back first place.

12:12: Stroll takes second place.

12:10: Leclerc got into the escape zone after turn seven, he continues.

12:09:

1. Ver
2. Per
3. Sai
4. Lec
5. Str
6. Dev
7. Alo
8. Rus
9. Alb
10. Nor

12:07: Alonso moved up to fourth behind the Red Bull driver and Leclerc.

12:04: In addition to Cunoda, Gasly and Magnussen, there is also a second Alpine driver in the pits. Ocon got out of the car. He has eight rounds to his credit.

11:58 am: Continuing…

11:53: New components: New internal combustion engines, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K for all drivers with Mercedes engines (except Norris, who used them earlier). New turbo and new MGU-H for Sainz, new turbo for Leclerc. New MGU-K for Hülkenberg (following post-race problems in Melbourne).

11:52:

11:52: Magnussen had a problem with fuel pressure.

11:48: We wanted to write that there are “Friday” parts in the cars. But the qualification is in the afternoon…

11:46: Magnussen then parks in the first corner.

11:45: red flags

11:45: Gasly goes off the track in the first corner. He then returned, but his car was engulfed in flames.

11:40: Cunoda returns with a puncture after leaning against the wall on the exit of turn three.

11:38: Sainz touches the wall but continues. Like Hamilton, Russell complains about the brakes.

11:36:

1. Per
2. Ver
3. Oco
4. Bot
5. Dev
6. Alo
7. Chow
8. Pia
9. An
10. Sai

11:36: Hamilton complains about the brakes.

11:31: Helmut Marko still managed to celebrate his 80th birthday yesterday…

11:30: We begin…

11:25: Air temperature 20 °C, track temperature 44 °C. Chance of rain: 0%.

11:25: Although we only have one practice session, the teams have brought new parts – mostly parts that are put in because of the characteristics of the circuit. But some are also intended to improve performance. For example, Red Bull will deploy some innovations in the area of ​​the floor, Ferrari a new rear wing, Mercedes rear wing sidewall or front suspension. Alpine will fit a new front and rear suspension and floor.

11:20: we have only one training ahead of us. Then there will be something to fight for. In the afternoon, qualification will be held to determine the starting grid for the race. Tomorrow the qualification for the sprint (the so-called shoot-out) and the sprint itself will take place.

11:18: Welcome to the online coverage of the first practice for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.