George Russell emerged as the quickest driver in the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, capitalising on a slipstream from Fernando Alonso to set a lap that left the field behind. The Mercedes driver’s performance came as a welcome boost for the team, which is feeling pressure to close the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who currently enjoys an 81‑point advantage in the drivers' standings. Russell’s pace in Baku signals that the title battle could intensify quickly if Mercedes can keep up the momentum. The session unfolded with Russell benefitting from a strong tow on his best lap, allowing him to edge out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and the two Ferraris by roughly four‑tenths of a second.
Earlier in the day he had already demonstrated solid speed, but it was the combination of a clean line and Alonso’s aerodynamic wake that gave him the edge needed to claim the top spot. This performance is particularly significant given the tight margins that often decide races on the high‑speed Baku street circuit.
Antonelli’s practice was dramatically curtailed when a hydraulic failure forced him to stop on track, costing him about 35 minutes of valuable running time. The Italian, who has claimed victory in the last two Grand Prix, now faces a challenging weekend ahead. Baku is notorious for its demanding layout, featuring long straights, tight corners, and a notorious tunnel section that can expose any weakness in a car’s reliability. With his lead over Russell standing at 81 points and a more than 100‑point cushion ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, Antonelli must be wary that a single technical issue could erode his advantage quickly.
"In terms of Kimi's session, FP1 is the least representative session, so that's a blessing," noted Sky Sports F1 analyst Jamie Chadwick. She added that the real concern lies in the cause of the hydraulic problem, especially as Mercedes has been praised for its improved reliability in recent races.
The team’s recent progress makes any setback feel more pronounced, and engineers will be scrutinising data to prevent a repeat in the remaining practice periods. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc posted their fastest times on the medium‑compound tyres, suggesting they could be contenders for pole position on Friday and for the race win on Saturday. Red Bull, not to be outdone, introduced a suite of new aerodynamic components for the Baku weekend, including an updated floor, revised side‑pods, and redesigned mirrors.
Verstappen displayed promising early‑session speed on the hard tyres, hinting that the Dutchman could be back in the front‑running mix despite the upgrades. If Russell’s slipstream advantage is removed, the front of the grid appears set to be a tight battle among Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris found themselves in sixth and fourteenth places respectively, over a second off the pace despite recent aerodynamic upgrades aimed at improving performance on high‑speed circuits. Piastri at one point believed he had suffered damage to his car, but the team reported no visible issues, while Norris has yet to reveal his true speed potential.
Red Bull’s young prospect Isack Hadjar, who secured a contract extension through 2027, returned to the track after missing the previous three race weekends due to a wrist injury. Unfortunately, he also lost around 30 minutes of running because of an engine problem, limiting his ability to contribute to the team’s data collection. In his stead, Liam Lawson took the wheel for Racing Bulls, launching from seventh on the grid, with teammate Arvid Lindblad close behind in eighth. Further down the order, Esteban Ocon—whose future with Haas looks uncertain as the team is expected to release him after the season—finished ninth, while Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto took tenth.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz experienced a minor brake fire early in the session, but the incident caused only a brief interruption and did not significantly affect the team’s overall running, especially as they have introduced a substantial upgrade package for the weekend. The schedule for the remainder of the weekend is packed. Thursday sees the second practice session start at 1 p.m., followed by the F1 Show. Friday’s agenda includes the sprint race, the third practice session, and the crucial qualifying session that will set the grid for Saturday’s Grand Prix.
The weekend culminates on Sunday with post‑race analysis and reaction segments. Overall, the first practice in Baku has set the stage for an intriguing showdown. Russell’s quick lap demonstrates that Mercedes can still challenge the front runners, while Antonelli’s hydraulic setback serves as a reminder that even the championship leader is vulnerable to technical gremlins.
With new parts arriving for Red Bull, fresh upgrades for McLaren, and a host of strategic variables at play, fans can expect a fiercely contested race weekend in one of Formula 1’s most demanding venues.