Max third quickest in Baku FP1

Published on 10 June 2022 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the third fastest time in the opening practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Orace Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez was quickest in the streets of Baku, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Both Red Bulls start morning practice on the medium Pirelli tyre compound. Max immediately feels comfortable as his first timed lap propels him to P1. Soon after, Mick Schumacher is forced to park his Haas trackside following a water leak. A virtual safety car follows to give track personnel the opportunity to clear the stricken car and the mess it produced.

Once the session is under green again, Max continues where he left off by posting purple sectors and improving on his lap times. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is a close second in the opening half of the practice session before another virtual safety car is deployed. This time, it is a Williams (Nicolas Latifi) who loses all drive and breaks down trackside.

With forty minutes on the clock, the circuit is cleared and practice resumes with both Mercedes and Ferrari still being affected by ‘bouncing’/’porpoising’ on the long straights. Meanwhile at Red Bull Racing, Max’ DRS flap is flapping when activated, indicating the Milton Keynes’ based outfit has not fully resolved this issue that has plagued the team earlier in the season.

At the halfway mark, several drivers switch to the soft tyres, resulting in the lap times dropping. Max is one of those opting for the red side-walled Pirellis. He utilises the extra grip to go seven tenths quicker than his previous best effort, cementing his lead at the top of the timing sheets.

With fifteen minutes to go, Perez ups his pace on the soft Pirellis and claims top spot from Max. The Red Bulls are eventually split by Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.

Meanwhile, Max has visited the pits for a tyre change. In the closing stages, the Dutchman sports a set of used mediums to focus on race simulations, meaning he ends the session as third fastest.

Contest GP Azerbaijan: win a by Max signed RBR Driver Cap 2022!

Results first free practice Azerbaijan: