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 - LATEST UPDATES
- The Baku City Circuit hosts round 17 of the 2024 F1 season
- Qualifying is at 1pm (BST)
- George Russell was quickest in third practice; Leclerc 2nd; Norris 3rd
- CRASH! Ollie Bearman hits the wall in final practice
- Max Verstappen has a 62-point lead to Lando Norris with eight races to go
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: What are the timings this weekend in Baku?
11:20
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 14 September
- Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
- Race: 12pm
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Jacques Villeneuve on ‘papaya rules’ at McLaren
11:12
Kieran Jackson
“I mean, I don’t want to be demeaning, I’m trying to find the right words, but I find it a little bit pathetic.
“This is F1. It’s the pinnacle. If I was a McLaren fan, I would be upset. Do they really want to win? Do they care? It doesn’t sound like they want to win. You know, it’s very utopic, it’s beautiful, but that’s not F1, you are here to win. That’s all that matters.
“Lando got the better of Piastri for the first half of the season. He’s the one with a chance to win. You play by that rule.”
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP3 RESULTS IN FULL
10:50
Kieran Jackson
Qualifying is looking impossible to predict!
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 14, 2024
Here's how FP3 finished up in Baku #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/MEZFy2yyDa
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell fastest in FP3!
10:36
Kieran Jackson
Wow, where did that pace come from?!
George Russell’s Mercedes looked rapid down the main straight and he sets the quickest time with a 1:42:514, 0.013 secs quicker than Charles Leclerc in P2!
Lando Norris is two-tenths back in third, followed by Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen - it’s tight though!
6-10: Sainz, Perez, Albon, Colapinto, Hamilton
Sets it up beautifully for qualifying later!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc shoots up to P1!
10:29
Kieran Jackson
Leclerc - who has been on pole the last three years in Baku - goes to the top of the leaderboard with a 1:42:564 lap time!
Lando Norris is a new name in P2, 0.173 secs slower, with Piastri in third.
4-10: Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Albon, Colapinto, Hamilton, Alonso
5:00 to go!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri quickest!
10:22
Kieran Jackson
Here come the times - and it’s McLaren out in front!
Oscar Piastri goes fastest with a 1:42:749, six-tenths quicker than Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in second!
Charles Leclerc is third, with Max Verstappen fourth and Alex Albon fifth.
6-10: Alonso, Sainz, Russell, Norris, Hamilton
More soft tyre laps coming in now though, with 10 minutes left!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Green light!
10:11
Kieran Jackson
Bearman’s Haas has been removed and we’re back to normal - we hope! - for the final 20 minutes of practice.
Time for some timed laps, me thinks! Alex Albon is currently P1 for Williams...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
10:06
Kieran Jackson
That didn’t last long!
Ollie Bearman has crashed at turn one!
The Haas driver bailed out of the corner - where he was coming in way too hot - but clipped the barrier and has ruined the front tyres!
“I’m such an idiot, I’m so sorry” he says. He’s fuming with himself!
Session stopped again!
"I'm such an idiot!" ♂️
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 14, 2024
Ollie Bearman crashes out of FP3 pic.twitter.com/0h6rRwQTnP
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Green flag conditions!
09:58
Kieran Jackson
I think it was a simple power issue for Ocon’s Alpine... but his car has been removed from the track and we’re back with third practice running!
More cars on track now, with 35 minutes left. Times coming in now, just as Oscar Piastri reports some drops of rain.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
09:46
Kieran Jackson
Ocon: “I’ve got a problem!”
The Alpine driver has stopped out on track, leading up to the main straight.
Session stopped - red flag!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Only five cars out on track initially!
09:39
Kieran Jackson
Plenty of drivers are standing calmly in their garages at the moment, no rush it seems to get out there this morning!
Stroll, Perez, Zhou, Tsunoda and Bottas the only cars out there at the moment!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Third practice underway!
09:32
Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez - the only man to win this race twice - is the first man out on track this morning as the final 60-minute session begins.
Meanwhile, there’s an A-lister in the Ferrari garage, with Will Smith in the house in Baku!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Few minutes away from third practice!
09:28
Kieran Jackson
So it’s the third and final hour of practice in Baku - who will set the final benchmark ahead of qualifying later?!
Can McLaren improve their pace on what is a cloudy, overcast day on the shores of Caspian Sea?
Constructors’ Standings ahead of Azerbaijan GP:
09:21
Kieran Jackson
Just an eight point gap at the top!
1. Red Bull - 446 points
2. McLaren - 438 points
3. Ferrari - 407 points
4. Mercedes - 292 points
5. Aston Martin - 74 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 28 points
8. Alpine - 13 points
9. Williams - 6 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
The anatomy of Lando Norris on pole – and the seven times it’s gone wrong
09:17
Kieran Jackson
McLaren have made their move. Ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and with eight grands prix and three sprint races to go, championship contender Lando Norris will now receive No 1 status.
At long last, some might say. Others will say it has come too late.
Full piece below:
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
09:12
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 303 points
2. Lando Norris - 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 164 points
7. Sergio Perez - 143 points
8. George Russell - 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
17. Alex Albon - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
What are the timings this weekend in Azerbaijan?
09:08
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 14 September
- Free practice 3: 9:30am
- Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
- Race: 12pm
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP3!
09:06
Kieran Jackson
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.
Join us tomorrow!
Friday 13 September 2024 18:30
Kieran Jackson
Thanks for keeping up with our coverage at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday!
Join us tomorrow for qualifying, which starts at 1pm (BST).
The anatomy of Lando Norris on pole – and the seven times it’s gone wrong
Friday 13 September 2024 18:13
Kieran Jackson
Feature by Kieran Jackson
If Lando Norris were to chase down Verstappen and win his first world championship in Abu Dhabi in December, it would be the mightiest comeback in F1 history. But to do so, and take advantage of performances in qualifying which have been sumptuous in recent months, he has one obvious area to strengthen.
It is now seven times that Norris has started an F1 race on pole – and seven times he has failed to lead when starting lap two.
What has Norris been doing wrong? Are there repeated issues at the start line? We break down all seven of those pole position starts – dating back to 2021 – to highlight where Norris must improve if he is to start claiming consistent lights-to-flag victories with the minimum of fuss.
Driver Standings ahead of Baku:
Friday 13 September 2024 16:42
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 303 points
2. Lando Norris - 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 164 points
7. Sergio Perez - 143 points
8. George Russell - 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
17. Alex Albon - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
What are the timings for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Friday 13 September 2024 16:20
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 14 September
- Free practice 3: 9:30am
- Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
- Race: 12pm
Adrian Newey criticises Sky F1’s ‘nationalistic’ coverage of Max Verstappen
Friday 13 September 2024 15:59
Kieran Jackson
Adrian Newey has labelled Sky Sports’ coverage of Formula One “nationalistic” when discussing Max Verstappen’s status in the sport.
Newey, whose 2025 move to Aston Martin was announced on Tuesday, has been the chief designer behind Verstappen’s championship-winning Red Bull cars in the last three years.
Newey was also the lead architect behind the Red Bull cars which powered Sebastian Vettel to four straight drivers’ titles from 2010-2013 – a feat Verstappen is looking to match this year.
Charles Leclerc hits out at Ferrari team after crash in Azerbaijan GP practice
Friday 13 September 2024 15:41
Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc voiced his irritation with his Ferrari team and car on a difficult opening day at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the Monegasque driver.
Leclerc, who raised hopes of an unlikely F1 title bid with victory at his team’s home race at Monza a fortnight ago, was the fastest man on track in first practice before dumping his car into the wall just over halfway through the session.
Full piece below:
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 RESULTS IN FULL!
Friday 13 September 2024 15:25
Kieran Jackson
It's Leclerc fastest, by just 0.006 seconds!
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 13, 2024
Here's the full classification from FP2 #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/z1rzowGnQp
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc quickest in FP2!
Friday 13 September 2024 15:12
Kieran Jackson
What a turnaround for Charles Leclerc!
Crashed in FP1, unhappy at the start of FP2... but he pulls a lap out the bag to top the timesheet with a 1:43:484.
Sergio Perez, who goes well around here, 0.006 secs behind in second with Lewis Hamilton also within a tenth in third.
4-10: Sainz, Piastri, Verstappen, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Russell, Bearman
Lando Norris is down in P17 - but he didn’t set a competitive time on the soft tyre!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell...
Friday 13 September 2024 15:00
Kieran Jackson
Russell’s engineer: “Box at the end of this lap, we have an issue with the car.”
Oh dear. A session to forget for the Mercedes driver.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc goes quickest!
Friday 13 September 2024 14:50
Kieran Jackson
So unhappy earlier in the session, Charles Leclerc goes quickest by 0.006 seconds to Perez!
Leclerc likes pole position at the Baku City Circuit.... can he do the same tomorrow?
10 mins to go in FP2.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Sergio Perez goes P1!
Friday 13 September 2024 14:49
Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull driver goes to the top with a 1:43:490, 0.66 secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton in second!
Perez, did you know, is the only two-time winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - he likes the streets of Baku!
Carlos Sainz is third, with Oscar Piastri in fourth and Max Verstappen in fifth.
Lando Norris still hasn’t set a time on softs and is 16th, while George Russell is now finally out on track... but only on hard tyres...
15 mins to go as the sun goes down in Baku!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Sainz on top - Verstappen not happy!
Friday 13 September 2024 14:33
Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz stays on top as he goes quicker for Ferrari, 0.033 secs slower in second.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen: “I struggle a lot with visibility, I can’t see s*** with this sun!”
He’s still P3 though!
4-10: Hamilton, Perez, Bearman, Tsunoda, Alonso, Albon, Colapinto
Lando Norris down in P14, given that ruined lap. 30 mins to go!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz remains on P1
Friday 13 September 2024 14:28
Kieran Jackson
Sainz on top with a 1:44;323, with Perez second and Tsunoda third.
But here come the soft-tyre qualifying simulation runs!
Lando Norris was going quicker on soft tyres... but his lap was ruined by Pierre Gasly on the main straight!
40 mins to go.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes slowly at turn five
Friday 13 September 2024 14:17
Kieran Jackson
No-one is immune to an error around this tricky street circuit!
Max Verstappen is forced to pause before the wall after turning in too late, while Zhou Guanyu takes the run-off area at turn three!
Plenty of brief yellow flags in Baku!
15 mins gone. Carlos Sainz on top so far...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton unhappy early on
Friday 13 September 2024 14:10
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton not happy with something to do with his halo, he’ll be coming into the garage.
Charles Leclerc is similar: “Check the data but something is bent on the car” - and is now refusing to drive the car!
“Impossible you can’t see that on the data!”
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell is also having to change his engine, and he will be out of this session for another 25 minutes!
A fair few problems then...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 underway!
Friday 13 September 2024 14:00
Kieran Jackson
Can anyone topple Max Verstappen then, who set the benchmark time in first practice?
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, incidentally, is ready for the session after the crash in FP1.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
Friday 13 September 2024 13:52
Kieran Jackson
When Adrian Newey stunned the Formula One paddock by announcing his departure from the all-conquering Red Bull in May, there seemed only one appropriate destination for the legendary designer’s swansong. Sky F1 broadcaster Martin Brundle hinted as much when he asked Newey in Miami: “Do you look good in red?!”
Now we know the answer: not good enough, it seems.
Full piece below:
Martin Brundle explains Adrian Newey’s ‘nasty habit’ after Aston Martin F1 move
Friday 13 September 2024 13:40
Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle alluded to Adrian Newey’s record of winning world championships at various F1 teams as a “nasty habit” following the design guru’s move to Aston Martin on Tuesday.
In turning down Ferrari – and a partnership with Lewis Hamilton in the process – Newey has committed to Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious Aston project. Newey will become a shareholder in the team, in addition to his £20m-a-year contract.
“Adrian Newey is a big name obviously in Formula One,” Sky F1 pundit and former driver Brundle told Sky Sports News on Tuesday.
Read full quotes below:
Constructors’ Standings ahead of Azerbaijan GP:
Friday 13 September 2024 13:21
Kieran Jackson
Just an eight point gap at the top!
1. Red Bull - 446 points
2. McLaren - 438 points
3. Ferrari - 407 points
4. Mercedes - 292 points
5. Aston Martin - 74 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 28 points
8. Alpine - 13 points
9. Williams - 6 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lando in a lego car!
Friday 13 September 2024 13:09
Kieran Jackson
Driver Standings heading into the Azerbaijan GP:
Friday 13 September 2024 12:58
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 303 points
2. Lando Norris - 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 164 points
7. Sergio Perez - 143 points
8. George Russell - 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points
17. Alex Albon - 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto - 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Ted Kravitz makes ‘seismic’ Aston Martin F1 prediction after Adrian Newey arrival
Friday 13 September 2024 12:31
Kieran Jackson
Sky F1 expert Ted Kravitz believes Aston Martin will be challenging for the Formula One world championship by 2026 with Adrian Newey now on board.
“It’s seismic. I don’t want to overstate it, or I do! It is seismic. It’s not as simple as saying Adrian Newey is joining the team which used to be Jordan. But wow, what a team, what a facility, what investment, what prospects it has.
“With Adrian Newey on board, they are going to be championship challengers in two years time, a maximum three years time. And that is seismic for Formula 1.”
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: What are the timings this weekend in Baku?
Friday 13 September 2024 12:12
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 13 September
- Free practice 2: 2pm
Saturday 14 September
- Free practice 3: 9:30am
- Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
- Race: 12pm
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri reacts after McLaren prioritise Lando Norris
Friday 13 September 2024 11:55
Kieran Jackson
Asked about the situation ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and potentially giving up first place for Norris, Piastri said: “It’s still something that we need to speak about a little bit more. For the whole team, we want to avoid that if we can.
“I know that after speaking to Lando and Andrea, nobody wants to see the race dictated by that. That includes Lando himself. With still a big gap [in the championship], ultimately it’s down to the team to decide if that’s what we want to do and if the call comes, that’s what I will be doing.
“But it’s not set in stone that I will give up the race, no matter what the circumstances are. There is still some degree of movement and flexibility because, ultimately, we all agree as a team, if someone has done a clearly better job at the weekend, that still deserves to be rewarded.”
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 RESULTS IN FULL
Friday 13 September 2024 11:41
Kieran Jackson
Well, that was an intense session
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 13, 2024
Two cars in the barriers, and a final flying effort from Max Verstappen to set the fastest time
Here's the full FP1 classification #F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/EdTtCTq077
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P1 right at the end!
Friday 13 September 2024 11:36
Kieran Jackson
With the final timed lap, Max Verstappen goes quickest with a 1:45:546, 0.313 secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton!
Sergio Perez is in third, 0.376 secs down on his team-mate, in a good session for Red Bull!
4-10: Norris, Sainz, Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Ricciardo
An action-packed session, including crashes for Charles Leclerc and Franco Colapinto!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P2!
Friday 13 September 2024 11:29
Kieran Jackson
He was quicker than Hamilton in the first two sectors but the final straight has let him down - he goes second, 0.036 secs slower than Hamilton!
3-10: Norris, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Ricciardo
Just 2 minutes left...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 back underway!
Friday 13 September 2024 11:22
Kieran Jackson
The Williams removed... and with 10 minutes left there is a mad rush coming out of the pit lane!
Lewis Hamilton is now top of the timesheet on soft tyres with a 1:45:859, 0.168 secs quicker than Lando Norris in second with Oscar Piastri in third.
4-10: Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Sainz
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
Friday 13 September 2024 11:13
Kieran Jackson
Another crash - this time it’s Franco Colapinto!
The Williams is in the wall - and there’s a fair bit of damage!
He just lost the rear of the car going around the right-hand turn! Not ideal, given he replaced the crash-heavy Logan Sargeant!
Session stops AGAIN with 20 minutes left...
ANOTHER RED FLAG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 13, 2024
This time Franco Colapinto finds the wall pic.twitter.com/7TRtdP8gGP
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back to green flag conditions!
Friday 13 September 2024 11:08
Kieran Jackson
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
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:58
Kieran Jackson
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.”
RED FLAG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 13, 2024
Charles Leclerc locks up and his Ferrari finds the wall pic.twitter.com/KHGaQbvlAK
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Esteban Ocon has an issue!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:53
Kieran Jackson
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...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back underway in FP1!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:51
Kieran Jackson
Indeed, we’re back going in no time at all - and 15 cars are straight out on track with 40 minutes left in Baku!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:46
Kieran Jackson
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...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:44
Kieran Jackson
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...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lance Stroll..
Friday 13 September 2024 10:42
Kieran Jackson
“This is not a car right now, not a car right now.”
The Aston Martin driver not happy at this early stage!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Everyone out on track!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:38
Kieran Jackson
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...
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri...
Friday 13 September 2024 10:33
Kieran Jackson
“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!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 underway in Baku!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:29
Kieran Jackson
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!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Ollie Bearman is in the cockpit this weekend!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:23
Kieran Jackson
The British 19-year-old - who becomes a permanent Haas driver next year - replaces the banned Kevin Magnussen for Haas this weekend in Baku!
It’s his second race appearance of the season after his standout performance for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia back in March, a drive which effectively secured his F1 seat!
How will he get on this weekend in Baku, a venue where he won in F2 last year?
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Upgrade chat!
Friday 13 September 2024 10:21
Kieran Jackson
Red Bull are the only team with upgrades this weekend, with a new floor.
Mercedes, on the other hand, have got rid of their floor brought in for Spa just before the summer break, in an attempt to get back to the top!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen open to Aston Martin move after Adrian Newey deal
Friday 13 September 2024 10:13
Kieran Jackson
“That is something maybe for the future that I think about, but not now,” Verstappen said, despite having a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
“It (Newey’s departure) is fine, Adrian and I have a very good understanding. I sent him a message after the news came out so I am happy for him.
“I always said I would have loved him to stay but you cannot overturn these things. I am just excited for people seeking new challenges. I know Lawrence (Stroll) is pushing flat out to make it a success at Aston Martin.”
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
Friday 13 September 2024 10:08
Kieran Jackson
When Adrian Newey stunned the Formula One paddock by announcing his departure from the all-conquering Red Bull in May, there seemed only one appropriate destination for the legendary designer’s swansong. Sky F1 broadcaster Martin Brundle hinted as much when he asked Newey in Miami: “Do you look good in red?!”
Now we know the answer: not good enough, it seems.
Full piece below:
Constructors’ Standings ahead of Azerbaijan GP:
Friday 13 September 2024 10:02
Kieran Jackson
Just an eight point gap at the top!
1. Red Bull - 446 points
2. McLaren - 438 points
3. Ferrari - 407 points
4. Mercedes - 292 points
5. Aston Martin - 74 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 28 points
8. Alpine - 13 points
9. Williams - 6 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to Adrian Newey snubbing Ferrari...
Friday 13 September 2024 09:51
Kieran Jacks
