AZE.US
George Russell topped both Formula 1 practice sessions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Thursday, September 24, while a crash by Arvid Lindblad brought out red flags during the second session on Baku’s street circuit.
Russell’s best lap in the afternoon was 1 minute 43.347 seconds. His Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli finished 0.552 seconds behind, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third. In the opening session, Russell had led Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, according to Formula 1.
Antonelli, the championship leader, had stopped early in first practice with a hydraulic problem. He returned for the second session and took second place behind Russell.
Lindblad hit the barrier in the castle section during the second practice, damaging his Racing Bulls car. Officials stopped the session with a red flag while the car was removed. Practice later resumed, Formula 1 reported.
In Formula 2, Rodin Motorsport drivers won both qualifying sessions held on Thursday: Alex Dunne topped the first and Martinius Stenshorne the second, according to Report.
The Baku City Circuit operator said more than 16,000 foreign visitors had arrived for the Grand Prix, compared with 14,000 last year. Fans from more than 120 countries bought tickets.
Final practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday, September 25. The race is set for Saturday, September 26.
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