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Russell on Top in Baku Practice After Problems for Antonelli, Norris

On Thursday, Mercedes driver George Russell led opening practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, topping the session by 0.400 seconds from Max Verstappen as championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished fifth after reporting a hydraulic failure.
With the race held on Saturday to accommodate a national holiday, Thursday's first practice at the Baku city circuit got off to a cautious start; the slippery street layout proved dusty, prompting drivers to take measured approach early.
Max Verstappen secured second place ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in third, while Carlos Sainz finished 12th after his upgraded Williams suffered brake overheating that cost him significant track time.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris endured a messy session with damage requiring checks, while Liam Lawson returned to Racing Bulls and took seventh, ahead of rookie Arvid Lindblad in eighth.
Multiple teams tested significant updates; McLaren trialled new sidepods and diffuser, while Williams debuted its long-awaited upgrade package as late efforts were thwarted by Nico Hulkenberg's Turn 4 issue triggering a second virtual safety car.

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Russell on top in Baku practice after problems for Antonelli, Norris

George Russell topped the times for Mercedes ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and the two Ferraris in Thursday's opening practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

45 minutes ago·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

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