Max Verstappen Tops Baku Practice as Kimi Antonelli Strikes Wall in Qualifying

Final practice standings in Baku

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set the fastest lap during the third free practice session at the Baku City Circuit on Friday, posting a time of 1:43.922 in the final minutes. The four-time world champion denied George Russell a clean sweep of the weekend practice sessions, edging the Mercedes driver by 0.099 seconds. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton finished third, trailing Verstappen by 0.111 seconds after delivering a late flying lap. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took fourth place for Mercedes, 0.351 seconds adrift of the top time, while Charles Leclerc placed fifth in the second Ferrari at 0.622 seconds back. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly secured sixth, ahead of McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with returning Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar and Alpine driver Franco Colapinto completing the top ten.

Track conditions and team reactions

Strong wind gusts created difficult conditions along the street circuit throughout the one-hour practice session. Several drivers ran off track into escape roads, including Verstappen and Hamilton, while Russell narrowly avoided hitting the barriers after locking up his brakes. Despite setting the quickest lap after both Mercedes cars had returned to the pit lane, Verstappen voiced lingering dissatisfaction with his car's handling over the team radio.

If, for once, this car wouldn't jump like a kangaroo, my God

The session marked Verstappen's first top spot in a third practice session of the season. Hadjar returned to action for Red Bull after being sidelined for three rounds due to a wrist injury, ending 1.254 seconds behind his teammate.

Qualifying setback for championship leader

Antonelli encountered severe difficulties later on Friday during the opening phase of qualifying. The 20-year-old Italian driver struck a trackside wall toward the end of the first qualifying segment, causing heavy damage to his left-front suspension. Although Antonelli told his team over the radio that he wished to continue running, Mercedes engineers informed him that the suspension could not be repaired in time to rejoin the session. The premature exit leaves the championship leader starting in 16th position for Saturday's race. Russell, who entered the weekend 81 points behind Antonelli after 14 rounds, maintained strong form across all sessions after topping both Thursday practice runs.

Weekend schedule and grid penalties

Aston Martin endured mechanical setbacks that will push both of its cars to the rear of the grid. Lance Stroll struck a wall during practice and sustained a tire puncture, adding to power-unit change penalties that will force him and teammate Fernando Alonso to start from the back. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix represents the opening round of three consecutive race weekends on the Formula 1 calendar. The main race takes place on Saturday rather than the traditional Sunday slot because Azerbaijan marks its national Remembrance Day on 27 September.