F1 returns after a one-week break this weekend as Baku hosts the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and round 17 of the 2024 season.
Charles Leclerc secured a famous victory for Ferrari at Monza last time out, ahead of the quick McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. British driver Norris now trails Max Verstappen – who could only finish sixth in Italy – by 62 points in the world championship with eight races to go.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the last race in Baku last April, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing a return to form as well on the popular street circuit by the Caspian Sea.
It has already been an eventful week in F1, with Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey announcing his move to Aston Martin for next year in a massive statement of intent, turning down Ferrari in the process.
Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back to green flag conditions!
Leclerc out of the session then but with the stricken Ferrari removed from the track, we’re back underway with 25 minutes left!
Top-5: Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Hamilton
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 11:08
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
Charles Leclerc has crashed into the wall at turn 15!
A nightmare for the Ferrari driver, who is top of the timesheets but is now out of the session!
He’s OK though and walks away unharmed! He missed the apex and then locked up into the wall!
“I took the dirt on the outside.”
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:58
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Esteban Ocon has an issue!
The Alpine driver has a problem with his car – “no power” he says – but he is able to get the car back to the pit lane!
Meanwhile, that piece of metal we believe came off Colapinto’s Williams. Anyway, back to the action…
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:53
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back underway in FP1!
Indeed, we’re back going in no time at all – and 15 cars are straight out on track with 40 minutes left in Baku!
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:51
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
So I think it’s a piece of lead or metal that was out on track, with a marshal quickly sprinting on to remove it!
Bit bizarre. I imagine it shouldn’t be too long until we get back going…
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:46
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
So the session has stopped with 47 minutes left in the session… and we have no idea why!
Nobody has crashed, so perhaps it’s a drain cover issue (remember them?!) – but nobody has a clue right now!
Nevertheless, all the cars head into the pit lane…
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:44
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lance Stroll..
“This is not a car right now, not a car right now.”
The Aston Martin driver not happy at this early stage!
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:42
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Everyone out on track!
Charles Leclerc quickest with a 1:48:340 early on, with all the drivers on medium tyres at this stage! Verstappen 2nd, Ricciardo 3rd.
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, has received a black and white flag from the stewards for crossing the white line on pit entry! Nothing to worry about too much in practice…
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:38
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri…
“Track is very very low grip.”
It’s very dusty in Baku!
All the drivers aside from Williams’ Franco Colapinto are out on track straight away!
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:33
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 underway in Baku!
Here we go then! Under the beaming sun in Azerbaijan, on this tight and twisty street circuit, it’s time for free practice 1!
The first hour of practice for the drivers to get in tune with their cars in Baku!
And the first man out on track is the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll!
Kieran Jackson13 September 2024 10:29
