Thursday’s practice session in Baku saw George Russell deliver a standout performance that has many fans and pundits wondering if the Mercedes driver can keep his rivals at bay for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Per Formula1.com, Russell’s lap times were the fastest of the day, clocking a 1:25.000‑class time that outpaced both Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by more than a second.
Mercedes’ dominance in practice has been a key talking point leading up to the race, as the team has shown a clear advantage in the high‑downforce, high‑temperature conditions that Baku’s street circuit demands. Russell’s performance, coupled with the team’s strong qualifying setup, suggests that Mercedes could be the team to beat in the race. However, the practice session also highlighted a few areas of concern. The driver’s tyre management was less efficient than expected, and there were minor handling issues that could become more pronounced in race conditions.
Red Bull, on the other hand, showed a more balanced performance, with Verstappen’s lap times hovering just behind Russell’s. The team’s strategy will likely focus on exploiting any slip‑ups from Mercedes and capitalising on the circuit’s long straight, where power unit performance can make a decisive difference. Meanwhile, Ferrari and McLaren will be looking to use the practice data to fine‑tune their setups for the high‑speed sections of the track.
For India – What to Watch
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be live on FanCode from 3:30 PM IST, with the race starting at 6:30 PM IST. Indian fans can follow the live commentary and real‑time telemetry on the FanCode app, which also offers exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content from the Mercedes and Red Bull teams. With Russell’s impressive practice showing, the race promises to be a battle of speed, strategy and precision – a spectacle that Indian viewers won’t want to miss.
Source: Formula1.com
