George Russell topped closing observe for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix forward of Charles Leclerc and the McLarens as a fiercely aggressive weekend continued in Baku, with an important qualifying up subsequent.
Russell, considerably out of nowhere for a Mercedes outfit that had been adrift of rivals Ferrari, McLaren and Crimson Bull beforehand, went quickest late on with a 1:42.514 due to a mega closing sector on the lengthy straight.
It was simply 0.013s sooner than an in-form Leclerc, making certain three totally different groups have topped the three observe classes in Azerbaijan and making certain a must-watch qualifying, reside on Sky Sports activities F1 at 1pm.
McLaren additionally hit again in Baku, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri each simply two tenths off the tempo.
Championship chief and Norris’ rival Verstappen was marginally behind in fifth, forward of the opposite Ferrari of Carlos Sainz and Crimson Bull of Sergio Perez.
Lewis Hamilton, although, was conspicuous by his absence from the entrance and will solely handle tenth within the different Mercedes, who admittedly despatched out their drivers later than most for the essential soft-tyre runs.
Hamilton slipped behind each Williams drivers, who confirmed promising tempo with Alexander Albon – who earlier within the hour even topped the timesheets – and Franco Colapinto eighth and ninth.
Hamilton’s fellow Briton Oliver Bearman additionally had a lower than superb session.
The stand-in Haas driver, 19, introduced out purple flags with a crash midway by means of FP3, making an attempt Flip 1 with far an excessive amount of pace and hitting the boundaries.
“I’m sorry,” stated Bearman, who’s making an attempt to impress as Kevin Magnussen’s substitute this weekend earlier than he drives for the US group full-time subsequent season.
That was the second purple flag of ultimate observe after Esteban Ocon floor to a halt in his Alpine, a group who’ve struggled for each tempo and reliability to date this weekend.
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Azerbaijan GP schedule
Saturday September 14
12.15pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up
1pm: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place across the Baku Metropolis Circuit.
Sunday September 15
8.30am: F2 Characteristic Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12pm: The AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP response
3pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Formulation 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
