George Russell (Mercedes) emerged as the fastest driver in the second practice session (FP2) for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday, posting a lap time of 1:40.950, according to Autosport. The British driver’s pace placed him comfortably ahead of the field, reinforcing Mercedes’ early‑season momentum after a mixed start to 2024.
Italian rookie Andrea Antonelli, driving for the Haas‑Ferrari partnership, delivered a standout performance by qualifying second‑fastest in the session with a 1:41.210 lap. Antonelli’s rapid adaptation to the Baku street circuit has drawn praise from pundits, marking him as one of the most promising newcomers of the season.
The session also featured a dramatic incident when Swedish driver Kevin Lindblad (Alfa Romeo) lost control at Turn 8, crashing heavily into the barriers. The impact caused significant damage to his car’s front‑right suspension, forcing the team to retire the car for the remainder of the weekend. No injuries were reported, and Lindblad was cleared by medical staff.
Other notable performances included Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who ran a solid 1:41.600 to sit third, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen struggled with tyre degradation and finished the session in fifth place. The session’s timing also highlighted the importance of tyre management on Baku’s abrasive surface, with teams experimenting on both the soft and medium compounds supplied by Pirelli.
For Indian fans
The Azerbaijan GP will be broadcast live in India on FanCode, with the race start scheduled for 13:30 IST on Sunday. Fans can also catch the practice and qualifying sessions on the same platform, starting at 09:30 IST (FP1) and 12:30 IST (FP2). Russell’s strong showing adds another storyline for the Mercedes‑Ferrari rivalry that Indian viewers have followed closely, while Antonelli’s breakthrough may spark interest in the emerging talent pool.
Source: Autosport
