In a blistering final practice session on Friday, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clocked the fastest lap in Baku, edging out George Russell of Mercedes by a margin that left the Red Bull engine in the spotlight ahead of the 1 pm qualifying session. According to Sky Sports F1, Verstappen’s lap of 1:32.123 was the quickest of the day, with Russell trailing by 0.045 seconds. The result snapped a streak of clean sweeps by Russell in previous practice sessions, highlighting a renewed challenge from Red Bull in the early part of the season.
Red Bull’s performance has been a key narrative in the 2024 season, with the team demonstrating a sharp uptick in pace during the early races. Verstappen’s lap time not only put him in the front row of the grid for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but also sent a clear message to the Mercedes team that the Red Bull engine is still a formidable force on street circuits. The team’s engineers noted that the improved traction and tyre management were pivotal in achieving the lap time, a factor that will be closely watched as the season progresses.
Mercedes, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup after the practice session. George Russell, who had dominated the earlier sessions, will need to find a balance between outright speed and consistency to secure a strong starting position. The team’s strategy will likely focus on fine-tuning the car’s setup for the high‑speed sections of the Baku street circuit, where tyre degradation can be a decisive factor.
For Indian fans, the qualifying session is scheduled to start at 1 pm IST, with the race taking place on Sunday evening. The event will be available for live streaming on FanCode, offering a convenient platform for viewers across India to follow the action. Keep an eye on the live commentary for real‑time updates on the grid positions and any last‑minute changes that could affect the race outcome.
Source: Sky Sports F1
