It’s only 13 thousandths of a second. One thing is clear: the battle for pole position for the race in Azerbaijan will be very close. Formula 1 Max world champion Verstappen is also likely to be up there.
George Russell set the fastest lap in the Mercedes in the last free Formula 1 practice session before qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Briton relegated Charles Leclerc, who had set the fastest time of the day in the Ferrari on Friday, to second place by 13 thousandths of a second. Leclerc has taken pole position on the Baku circuit for the past three years.
Behind Russell and Leclerc, World Championship runner-up Lando Norris came in third in his McLaren. Fourth place went to his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri, who is expected to help his team rival in the fight for the World Championship title against leader Max Verstappen.
Norris is 62 points behind three-time champion Verstappen, who finished fifth in his Red Bull during the one-hour session. McLaren is only eight points behind Red Bull in the team standings.
The one-hour training session on the narrow and demanding course, where Nico Hülkenberg finished 16th, had to be interrupted twice. First, a defect stopped the Alpine of Frenchman Esteban Ocon, later Oliver Bearman demolished the left front of his Haas.
The Briton – who will be a regular driver for the US team next year – is standing in alongside Hülkenberg this weekend for the suspended Kevin Magnussen. The Dane has collected more penalty points this season than are allowed.
Source: Stern
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