F1 returns after a one-week break this weekend as Baku hosts the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and round 17 of the 2024 season.
Charles Leclerc secured a famous victory for Ferrari at Monza last time out, ahead of the quick McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. British driver Norris now trails Max Verstappen – who could only finish sixth in Italy – by 62 points in the world championship with eight races to go.
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READ MORE: Why did Adrian Newey choose Aston Martin over Ferrari?
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the last race in Baku last April, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing a return to form as well on the popular street circuit by the Caspian Sea.
It has already been an eventful week in F1, with Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey announcing his move to Aston Martin for next year in a massive statement of intent, turning down Ferrari in the process.
Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX – LATEST UPDATES
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Baku hosts round 17 of the 2024 F1 season
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Second practice started at 2pm (BST)
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Max Verstappen was quickest in FP1; Hamilton 2nd; Perez 3rd
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CRASH! Charles Leclerc hits the wall in first practice
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Max Verstappen has a 62-point lead to Lando Norris with eight races to go
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc quickest in FP2!
15:12 , Kieran Jackson
What a turnaround for Charles Leclerc!
Crashed in FP1, unhappy at the start of FP2… but he pulls a lap out the bag to top the timesheet with a 1:43:484.
Sergio Perez, who goes well around here, 0.006 secs behind in second with Lewis Hamilton also within a tenth in third.
4-10: Sainz, Piastri, Verstappen, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Russell, Bearman
Lando Norris is down in P17 – but he didn’t set a competitive time on the soft tyre!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
What are the timings for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
16:20 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 14 September
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Free practice 3: 9:30am
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Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
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Race: 12pm
Adrian Newey criticises Sky F1’s ‘nationalistic’ coverage of Max Verstappen
15:59 , Kieran Jackson
Adrian Newey has labelled Sky Sports’ coverage of Formula One “nationalistic” when discussing Max Verstappen’s status in the sport.
Newey, whose 2025 move to Aston Martin was announced on Tuesday, has been the chief designer behind Verstappen’s championship-winning Red Bull cars in the last three years.
Newey was also the lead architect behind the Red Bull cars which powered Sebastian Vettel to four straight drivers’ titles from 2010-2013 – a feat Verstappen is looking to match this year.
Adrian Newey criticises Sky F1’s ‘nationalistic’ coverage of Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc hits out at Ferrari team after crash in Azerbaijan GP practice
15:41 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc voiced his irritation with his Ferrari team and car on a difficult opening day at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the Monegasque driver.
Leclerc, who raised hopes of an unlikely F1 title bid with victory at his team’s home race at Monza a fortnight ago, was the fastest man on track in first practice before dumping his car into the wall just over halfway through the session.
Full piece below:
Charles Leclerc hits out at Ferrari team after crash in Azerbaijan GP practice
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 RESULTS IN FULL!
15:25 , Kieran Jackson
It’s Leclerc fastest, by just 0.006 seconds! ?
Here’s the full classification from FP2 ?#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/z1rzowGnQp
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 13, 2024
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell…
15:00 , Kieran Jackson
Russell’s engineer: “Box at the end of this lap, we have an issue with the car.”
Oh dear. A session to forget for the Mercedes driver.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc goes quickest!
14:50 , Kieran Jackson
So unhappy earlier in the session, Charles Leclerc goes quickest by 0.006 seconds to Perez!
Leclerc likes pole position at the Baku City Circuit…. can he do the same tomorrow?
10 mins to go in FP2.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Sergio Perez goes P1!
14:49 , Kieran Jackson
The Red Bull driver goes to the top with a 1:43:490, 0.66 secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton in second!
Perez, did you know, is the only two-time winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – he likes the streets of Baku!
Carlos Sainz is third, with Oscar Piastri in fourth and Max Verstappen in fifth.
Lando Norris still hasn’t set a time on softs and is 16th, while George Russell is now finally out on track… but only on hard tyres…
15 mins to go as the sun goes down in Baku!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Sainz on top – Verstappen not happy!
14:33 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz stays on top as he goes quicker for Ferrari, 0.033 secs slower in second.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen: “I struggle a lot with visibility, I can’t see s*** with this sun!”
He’s still P3 though!
4-10: Hamilton, Perez, Bearman, Tsunoda, Alonso, Albon, Colapinto
Lando Norris down in P14, given that ruined lap. 30 mins to go!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz remains on P1
14:28 , Kieran Jackson
Sainz on top with a 1:44;323, with Perez second and Tsunoda third.
But here come the soft-tyre qualifying simulation runs!
Lando Norris was going quicker on soft tyres… but his lap was ruined by Pierre Gasly on the main straight!
40 mins to go.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes slowly at turn five
14:17 , Kieran Jackson
No-one is immune to an error around this tricky street circuit!
Max Verstappen is forced to pause before the wall after turning in too late, while Zhou Guanyu takes the run-off area at turn three!
Plenty of brief yellow flags in Baku!
15 mins gone. Carlos Sainz on top so far…
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton unhappy early on
14:10 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton not happy with something to do with his halo, he’ll be coming into the garage.
Charles Leclerc is similar: “Check the data but something is bent on the car” – and is now refusing to drive the car!
“Impossible you can’t see that on the data!”
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell is also having to change his engine, and he will be out of this session for another 25 minutes!
A fair few problems then…
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 underway!
14:00 , Kieran Jackson
Can anyone topple Max Verstappen then, who set the benchmark time in first practice?
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, incidentally, is ready for the session after the crash in FP1.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
13:52 , Kieran Jackson
When Adrian Newey stunned the Formula One paddock by announcing his departure from the all-conquering Red Bull in May, there seemed only one appropriate destination for the legendary designer’s swansong. Sky F1 broadcaster Martin Brundle hinted as much when he asked Newey in Miami: “Do you look good in red?!”
Now we know the answer: not good enough, it seems.
Full piece below:
Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
Martin Brundle explains Adrian Newey’s ‘nasty habit’ after Aston Martin F1 move
13:40 , Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle alluded to Adrian Newey’s record of winning world championships at various F1 teams as a “nasty habit” following the design guru’s move to Aston Martin on Tuesday.
In turning down Ferrari – and a partnership with Lewis Hamilton in the process – Newey has committed to Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious Aston project. Newey will become a shareholder in the team, in addition to his £20m-a-year contract.
“Adrian Newey is a big name obviously in Formula One,” Sky F1 pundit and former driver Brundle told Sky Sports News on Tuesday.
Read full quotes below:
Martin Brundle reveals Adrian Newey’s ‘nasty habit’ after Aston Martin move
Constructors’ Standings ahead of Azerbaijan GP:
13:21 , Kieran Jackson
Just an eight point gap at the top!
1. Red Bull – 446 points
2. McLaren – 438 points
3. Ferrari – 407 points
4. Mercedes – 292 points
5. Aston Martin – 74 points
6. RB – 34 points
7. Haas – 28 points
8. Alpine – 13 points
9. Williams – 6 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lando in a lego car!
13:09 , Kieran Jackson
Driver Standings heading into the Azerbaijan GP:
12:58 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 303 points
2. Lando Norris – 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 164 points
7. Sergio Perez – 143 points
8. George Russell – 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 50 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 6 points
17. Alex Albon – 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
Ted Kravitz makes ‘seismic’ Aston Martin F1 prediction after Adrian Newey arrival
12:31 , Kieran Jackson
Sky F1 expert Ted Kravitz believes Aston Martin will be challenging for the Formula One world championship by 2026 with Adrian Newey now on board.
“It’s seismic. I don’t want to overstate it, or I do! It is seismic. It’s not as simple as saying Adrian Newey is joining the team which used to be Jordan. But wow, what a team, what a facility, what investment, what prospects it has.
“With Adrian Newey on board, they are going to be championship challengers in two years time, a maximum three years time. And that is seismic for Formula 1.”
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: What are the timings this weekend in Baku?
12:12 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 13 September
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Free practice 2: 2pm
Saturday 14 September
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Free practice 3: 9:30am
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Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
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Race: 12pm
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri reacts after McLaren prioritise Lando Norris
11:55 , Kieran Jackson
Asked about the situation ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and potentially giving up first place for Norris, Piastri said: “It’s still something that we need to speak about a little bit more. For the whole team, we want to avoid that if we can.
“I know that after speaking to Lando and Andrea, nobody wants to see the race dictated by that. That includes Lando himself. With still a big gap [in the championship], ultimately it’s down to the team to decide if that’s what we want to do and if the call comes, that’s what I will be doing.
“But it’s not set in stone that I will give up the race, no matter what the circumstances are. There is still some degree of movement and flexibility because, ultimately, we all agree as a team, if someone has done a clearly better job at the weekend, that still deserves to be rewarded.”
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 RESULTS IN FULL
11:41 , Kieran Jackson
Well, that was an intense session ?
Two cars in the barriers, and a final flying effort from Max Verstappen to set the fastest time ?
Here’s the full FP1 classification ?#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/EdTtCTq077
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 13, 2024
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P1 right at the end!
11:36 , Kieran Jackson
With the final timed lap, Max Verstappen goes quickest with a 1:45:546, 0.313 secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton!
Sergio Perez is in third, 0.376 secs down on his team-mate, in a good session for Red Bull!
4-10: Norris, Sainz, Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Ricciardo
An action-packed session, including crashes for Charles Leclerc and Franco Colapinto!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P2!
11:29 , Kieran Jackson
He was quicker than Hamilton in the first two sectors but the final straight has let him down – he goes second, 0.036 secs slower than Hamilton!
3-10: Norris, Sainz, Perez, Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Ricciardo
Just 2 minutes left…
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 back underway!
11:22 , Kieran Jackson
The Williams removed… and with 10 minutes left there is a mad rush coming out of the pit lane!
Lewis Hamilton is now top of the timesheet on soft tyres with a 1:45:859, 0.168 secs quicker than Lando Norris in second with Oscar Piastri in third.
4-10: Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Sainz
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
11:13 , Kieran Jackson
Another crash – this time it’s Franco Colapinto!
The Williams is in the wall – and there’s a fair bit of damage!
He just lost the rear of the car going around the right-hand turn! Not ideal, given he replaced the crash-heavy Logan Sargeant!
Session stops AGAIN with 20 minutes left…
ANOTHER RED FLAG ?
This time Franco Colapinto finds the wall ? pic.twitter.com/7TRtdP8gGP
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 13, 2024
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back to green flag conditions!
11:08 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc out of the session then but with the stricken Ferrari removed from the track, we’re back underway with 25 minutes left!
Top-5: Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Hamilton
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
10:58 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc has crashed into the wall at turn 15!
A nightmare for the Ferrari driver, who is top of the timesheets but is now out of the session!
He’s OK though and walks away unharmed! He missed the apex and then locked up into the wall!
“I took the dirt on the outside.”
RED FLAG ?
Charles Leclerc locks up and his Ferrari finds the wall ? pic.twitter.com/KHGaQbvlAK
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 13, 2024
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Esteban Ocon has an issue!
10:53 , Kieran Jackson
The Alpine driver has a problem with his car – “no power” he says – but he is able to get the car back to the pit lane!
Meanwhile, that piece of metal we believe came off Colapinto’s Williams. Anyway, back to the action…
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Back underway in FP1!
10:51 , Kieran Jackson
Indeed, we’re back going in no time at all – and 15 cars are straight out on track with 40 minutes left in Baku!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
10:46 , Kieran Jackson
So I think it’s a piece of lead or metal that was out on track, with a marshal quickly sprinting on to remove it!
Bit bizarre. I imagine it shouldn’t be too long until we get back going…
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: RED FLAG!
10:44 , Kieran Jackson
So the session has stopped with 47 minutes left in the session… and we have no idea why!
Nobody has crashed, so perhaps it’s a drain cover issue (remember them?!) – but nobody has a clue right now!
Nevertheless, all the cars head into the pit lane…
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lance Stroll..
10:42 , Kieran Jackson
“This is not a car right now, not a car right now.”
The Aston Martin driver not happy at this early stage!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Everyone out on track!
10:38 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc quickest with a 1:48:340 early on, with all the drivers on medium tyres at this stage! Verstappen 2nd, Ricciardo 3rd.
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, has received a black and white flag from the stewards for crossing the white line on pit entry! Nothing to worry about too much in practice…
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri…
10:33 , Kieran Jackson
“Track is very very low grip.”
It’s very dusty in Baku!
All the drivers aside from Williams’ Franco Colapinto are out on track straight away!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP1 underway in Baku!
10:29 , Kieran Jackson
Here we go then! Under the beaming sun in Azerbaijan, on this tight and twisty street circuit, it’s time for free practice 1!
The first hour of practice for the drivers to get in tune with their cars in Baku!
And the first man out on track is the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Ollie Bearman is in the cockpit this weekend!
10:23 , Kieran Jackson
The British 19-year-old – who becomes a permanent Haas driver next year – replaces the banned Kevin Magnussen for Haas this weekend in Baku!
It’s his second race appearance of the season after his standout performance for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia back in March, a drive which effectively secured his F1 seat!
How will he get on this weekend in Baku, a venue where he won in F2 last year?
(Getty Images)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Upgrade chat!
10:21 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull are the only team with upgrades this weekend, with a new floor.
Mercedes, on the other hand, have got rid of their floor brought in for Spa just before the summer break, in an attempt to get back to the top!
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen open to Aston Martin move after Adrian Newey deal
10:13 , Kieran Jackson
“That is something maybe for the future that I think about, but not now,” Verstappen said, despite having a contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
“It (Newey’s departure) is fine, Adrian and I have a very good understanding. I sent him a message after the news came out so I am happy for him.
“I always said I would have loved him to stay but you cannot overturn these things. I am just excited for people seeking new challenges. I know Lawrence (Stroll) is pushing flat out to make it a success at Aston Martin.”
Max Verstappen said a move to Aston Martin could be something he would think about in the future (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
10:08 , Kieran Jackson
When Adrian Newey stunned the Formula One paddock by announcing his departure from the all-conquering Red Bull in May, there seemed only one appropriate destination for the legendary designer’s swansong. Sky F1 broadcaster Martin Brundle hinted as much when he asked Newey in Miami: “Do you look good in red?!”
Now we know the answer: not good enough, it seems.
Full piece below:
Adrian Newey snubbed Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari for Aston Martin – here’s why
Constructors’ Standings ahead of Azerbaijan GP:
10:02 , Kieran Jackson
Just an eight point gap at the top!
1. Red Bull – 446 points
2. McLaren – 438 points
3. Ferrari – 407 points
4. Mercedes – 292 points
5. Aston Martin – 74 points
6. RB – 34 points
7. Haas – 28 points
8. Alpine – 13 points
9. Williams – 6 points
10. Sauber – 0 points
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to Adrian Newey snubbing Ferrari…
09:51 , Kieran Jackson
Asked ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix whether he was disappointed that Newey will not be joining the Scuderia, Hamilton replied: “Honestly, no.
“While I have said before that it would be an honour to work with Adrian, I have been part of two championship-winning teams that didn’t have Adrian.
“I think any team would have been happy to have him. At the end of the day he had to do what is right for him. It doesn’t change my goal or my focus for my next move. I still believe 100 per cent that there is lots we can do.”
Lewis Hamilton says Newey’s move to Aston Martin was not a disappointment (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) (AP)
Driver Standings heading into the Azerbaijan GP:
09:48 , Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen – 303 points
2. Lando Norris – 241 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 217 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 197 points
5. Carlos Sainz – 184 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 164 points
7. Sergio Perez – 143 points
8. George Russell – 128 points
9. Fernando Alonso – 50 points
10. Lance Stroll – 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo – 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly – 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen – 6 points
17. Alex Albon – 6 points
18. Esteban Ocon – 5 points
19. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
21. Franco Colapinto – 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: What are the timings this weekend in Baku?
09:44 , Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Friday 13 September
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Free practice 1: 10:30am
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Free practice 2: 2pm
Saturday 14 September
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Free practice 3: 9:30am
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Qualifying: 1pm
Sunday 15 September
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Race: 12pm
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Welcome back!
09:41 , Kieran Jackson
Good morning! F1 is back this weekend as we head to the shores of the Caspian Sea and the entertaining Baku Street Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
It’s already been an eventful week in the sport, what with Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin!
So, what will the action on track bring today? Practice gets underway at 10:30am (BST)!
(Getty Images)
