F1 Azerbaijan – An Exciting Start to Qualifying

F1 Azerbaijan – Free Practice Insights

F1 racing took a turn towards Azerbaijan after Monza, featuring the urban track of Baku. Gaëtan Vigneron highlights the notable moments from Friday's two vastly different free practice sessions. In P1, three red flags were raised; first, a metal piece needed removal, followed by Charles Leclerc crashing into the wall at turn 15. The young Colapinto also faced missteps with his Williams at turn 4, while Esteban Ocon encountered engine troubles. The usual suspects, Verstappen, Hamilton, and Perez, found the session disrupted, resulting in times recorded under varying circumstances.

P2 Developments and Predictions

Vigneron then discusses the second session, which offered clearer insights. In P2, Leclerc rebounded after steering system woes, clocking in fastest, followed by Perez, who outpaced Verstappen, leaving Hamilton to settle for 6th place. Russell faced engine replacements, while rookies Bearman and Colapinto showed promising performances. However, numerous questions linger over the paddock: Will Ferrari maintain momentum after Monza? Will Mercedes reclaim its pre-summer form? McLaren's Piastri and Norris also displayed varying results, raising eyebrows about their capabilities.

Qualifying Session Outlook

As the action unfolds, Red Bull is expected to excel in Baku, a track that minimizes RB20's weaknesses. Although Horns hinted at a clearer picture post-Austin, the anticipation builds for a thrilling qualifying session this Saturday at 13:55 on Tipik.