Hamilton Named Honorary Citizen Of Brazil
Charles Leclerc went fastest in Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice to edge Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen at the top of the leaderboard, as Lewis Hamilton’s struggles continued at the Baku street circuit. Leclerc heads into Saturday’s qualifying as the favourite for pole position with Perez, fresh from his Monaco Grand Prix victory last time out, providing the closest competition.
Perez led the opening practice session as Verstappen dealt with a wobbly rear wing but Leclerc hit back FP2, leading the way by a quarter-of-a-second. Even with Verstappen’s wing fixed Perez was still the fastest Red Bull with the world champion Verstappen three tenths back. Double world champion Fernando Alonso finished fourth for Alpine, albeit almost a second slower than Leclerc, with Carlos Sainz fifth. Verstappen had warned the grid he has “unfinished business” in Azerbaijan after he was denied victory at a chaotic race last season.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Baku, we have some unfinished business there after last year,” Verstappen said. “It’s a tricky track with big braking zones and a tight run off, finding the best set-up for the car will be difficult in terms of making sure we get the correct wing level. It will also be interesting to see if we can make our one lap performance better for qualifying as we’ve been lacking a little.” Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, below:
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
So, is it Leclerc vs Perez, rather than Verstappen, for the win this weekend?
Verstappen’s rear wing was switched to match Perez’s in FP2 but the Mexican still finished ahead of his team-mate.
Fernando Alonso was the big surprise package there, while it was another miserable afternoon for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 16:10
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
- 1 Charles LECLERC – 1:43.224
- 2 Sergio PEREZ +0.248
- 3 Max VERSTAPPEN +0.356
- 4 Fernando ALONSO +0.918
- 5 Carlos SAINZ +1.050
- 6 Pierre GASLY+ 1.091
- 7 George RUSSELL+ 1.324
- 8 Yuki TSUNODA +1.343
- 9 Esteban OCON +1.385
- 10 Lando NORRIS +1.547
- 11 Sebastian VETTEL +1.557
- 12 Lewis HAMILTON +1.650
- 13 Lance STROLL +1.650
- 14 Daniel RICCIARDO +1.835
- 15 Valtteri BOTTAS +1.891
- 16 Guanyu ZHOU +2.040
- 17 Kevin MAGNUSSEN +2.364
- 18 Alexander ALBON +3.173
- 19 Mick SCHUMACHER +3.201
- 20 Nicholas LATIFI +3.994
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 16:07
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
And that’s it – very little changed there over the last 20 minutes of the session.
1) Charles Leclerc – 1:43.224
4) Fernando Alonso + 0.918
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 16:03
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
Leclerc can’t improve. His car was not in “race mode” it seems.
Sainz becomes the latest driver to run-off at Turn 15. He won’t be the last.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 16:01
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
The leaderboard has not changed at all in 15 minutes. Leclerc backed out of a hot lap, after experiencing a lack of power.
“The loss of power was normal” is the reply.
Strange – but Leclerc will go again now.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:59
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
Hamilton could not – and is set for another sobering practice session in the Mercedes this season. He’s about 0.3s behind team-mate Russell, who remains in P7.
Perez and Verstappen are in the pits but look set to head out on one last run.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:52
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
Now, can Hamilton improve on P12? The seven-time world champion is stuck with the McLarens and Aston Martins. Even the Alpha Tauris and Alpines seem to be faring better on this Baku street circuit.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:47
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
It’s Perez’s turn now to duck into the run-off area. That has pulled Sainz and Verstappen off their flying laps.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:43
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
Leclerc locks up and is forced to take a trip into the run-off area. Perez sent his Red Bull ahead of team-mate Verstappen with a nice time and is going for another hot lap, as Verstappen comes back out.
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:41
F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice
1) Charles Leclerc – 1:43.224
4) Fernando Alonso + 0.918
Jamie Braidwood10 June 2022 15:40
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