Max Verstappen set the pace in FP3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, beating George Russell by just 0.099 seconds in a tense final practice session. Russell, who had topped both FP1 and FP2 for Mercedes, looked set for a clean sweep before Verstappen’s late lap—helped by a significant tow—put Red Bull on top for the first time in a practice session this season.
Lewis Hamilton left it late to slot his Ferrari into third, just 0.111s behind Verstappen, also benefitting from a powerful slipstream. F1 championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli was fourth-fastest, 0.351s off the top, while Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five for Ferrari.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and reigning champion Lando Norris followed, with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar—returning from injury—ninth. Franco Colapinto completed the top ten for Alpine, while Carlos Sainz just missed out with his newly-upgraded Williams.
Notably, Sergio Perez could only manage 16th in his Cadillac, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was 22nd and slowest after striking the wall at Turn 1. Russell also had a late scare, locking up at Turn 7 but avoiding the barriers.
Qualifying for Saturday’s 51-lap Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins at 1pm UK time on Friday.
