FP1: Russell leads opening Azerbaijan GP practice from Verstappen as Antonelli suffers hydraulic issue

George Russell finished fastest in Free Practice 1 ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver leading Max Verstappen as Kimi Antonelli's session was cut short by a mechanical issue.

Russell topped the opening one-hour session after posting a 1m 45.387s, leaving him four tenths clear of Verstappen, as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the top three.

A flurry of cars headed out on track once the green light appeared at the end of the pit lane at 1230 local time, with drivers immediately met by a dusty and slippery track surface on the streets of Baku.

Isack Hadjar, making his return after missing the last three rounds due to a wrist injury, complained about the brakes on his Red Bull pulling to one side, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri reported vibrations in the opening minutes.

Carlos Sainz also suffered an issue with his brakes, returning his Williams – which has been heavily updated this weekend – to the pit lane with its rear brakes on fire after just 15 minutes.

Times continued to tumble as track conditions improved and drivers built up greater confidence, with Antonelli fastest on a 1m 46.265s approaching the 25-minute mark with the hard Pirelli tyre.

The Mercedes driver was one of the first to bolt on a set of soft tyres, but the Italian pulled his car off at Turn 7 on the out-lap, reporting over the radio of a hydraulic issue as his stricken car was retrieved under a Virtual Safety Car.

The yellow flags were out again shortly after, as Max Verstappen and George Russell both went into the run-off areas at Turn 1 and Turn 3 respectively before rejoining.

Both were soon back up to speed, Verstappen becoming the first driver to dip below the 1m 46s barrier by posting a 1m 45.787s with the red-walled tyre, before being usurped by Russell's 1m 45.387s, the Mercedes driver helped by a tow down the main straight.

A second VSC was deployed in the final five minutes, Arvid Lindblad needing to reverse from the Turn 7 run-off area, while Nico Hulkenberg's Audi simultaneously came to a stop on the exit of Turn 4 which was recovered behind the barrier.

Russell's effort remained fastest at the chequered flag, with Verstappen just fractionally ahead of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the Ferrari drivers setting their times with the medium tyre.

Antonelli remained fifth fastest despite missing the second half of the session, from Piastri who also lost some track time as McLaren repaired issues with his car.

The Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Lindblad, Esteban Ocon (Haas) and the Audi of Gabriel Bortoleto completed the top 10.

The second Audi of Hulkenberg was P11, from the Williams duo of Sainz and Alex Albon, with Lando Norris only P14 after missing most of the session with an issue as McLaren suffered a difficult session.

Ollie Bearman (Haas) in P15 led Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Sergio Perez's Cadillac, Franco Colapinto's Alpine and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).

Hadjar was only P20 as he suffered with a power unit issue that restricted his running, while the order was completed by the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll and Cadillac of Valtteri Bottas.