Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Day one concludes with Ferrari drivers leading F1 practice updated/photo

The first day of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix wrapped up after the conclusion of the second free practice session.

According to local press, the session saw strong performances from the top drivers, with the best results recorded by:

• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

• George Russell (Mercedes)

With the first day of activities complete, teams will now analyse the data collected to fine-tune their cars for qualifying and the main race later in the weekend.

16:44

The Formula 1 teams have kicked off the second free practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

According to local media, the session is scheduled to run for one hour, providing drivers and teams another crucial opportunity to fine-tune their cars and adapt to the Baku City Circuit ahead of qualifying and the main race.

16:20

An incident occurred during the Formula 2 qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when French driver Victor Martins of the ART GP team crashed on the third turn of the Baku City Circuit. Following the crash, Martins’ car caught fire.

Qualifying was immediately suspended, with red flags displayed to halt the session, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Martin’s car was safely removed from the track using a crane, after which the race briefly resumed.

Shortly afterwards, Roman Staněk’s car collided with John Bennett’s, leading officials to stop the session once again.

Organisers have confirmed that the qualifying session will not be resumed.

14:39

Drama unfolded at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 19 when an accident disrupted the Formula 2 qualifying session.

According to local media, the session was brought to an abrupt halt after Rodin Motorsport driver Amory Cordil lost control and crashed into the safety barrier.

The incident forced race officials to suspend qualifying as track marshals worked quickly to clear the damaged car and assess the condition of the barrier.

Cordil’s crash added unexpected tension to what had been a crucial session for drivers battling for grid positions in Baku.

12:48

The roar of engines echoed through the streets of Baku as the first Formula 1 free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix got underway today. 

Teams and drivers hit the Baku City Circuit for a crucial hour-long session, testing setups and fine-tuning their machines ahead of the high-stakes weekend.

According to local media, this initial session is vital for drivers to get a feel for the circuit’s unique mix of tight city corners and long straights. Engineers and drivers work closely to adjust aerodynamics, braking, and tire strategies, ensuring each car is perfectly dialled in for the challenges ahead.

With the Grand Prix spanning September 19–21, teams are under pressure to extract every ounce of performance early, as even minor adjustments could make a huge difference on this demanding street track. Fans lining the circuit can expect a weekend of speed, precision, and dramatic racing.

11:08

The Formula 2 free practice session in Baku has come to a close, offering fans a first glimpse of the pace ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

According to local media, the session ended with Alex Dunne of Rodin Motorsport leading the field. He was followed closely by Jack Crawford from DAMS in second place, while Dino Beganovic of Hitech GP secured the third spot on the timesheets.

The results set the stage for a thrilling qualifying session later in the day, as the 20 drivers compete for key grid positions on the 6-kilometre Baku City Circuit.

10:42

The streets of Baku are buzzing with excitement as the Formula 2 free practice session gets underway as part of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.

The 45-minute session gives drivers a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their machines ahead of the high-stakes qualifying and races, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Twenty talented drivers from ten teams are pushing their limits on the challenging 6-kilometre Baku City Circuit, navigating 20 tight turns and high-speed straights.

Formula 1 fans won’t have to wait long for their adrenaline fix — the first F1 free practice takes the track from 12:30 to 13:30, followed by Formula 2 qualifying at 14:00. The day wraps up with the second F1 practice session at 16:00, promising another round of intense racing action.

With the circuit’s mix of fast straights and tight corners, both rookies and seasoned drivers will be tested to the limit, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of high-speed competition in the heart of Azerbaijan.

By Tamilla Hasanova