Sergio Perez has topped the timetables in FP1 in Baku with a 1:45.4. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen finished P2 and P3 to make up the rest of the top order with Hamilton sitting in P6 behind the pacey Fernando Alonso in P5.
As the drivers headed into round 8 of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship, Baku in Azerbaijan was setting at this crucial stage. One of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, this was again going to be a test for this new era of car in F1.
How it unfolded
The windy city always causes issues for teams and once again it seemed Mercedes were on the back foot. In the early parts of the session, both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell failed to break into the top ten. As the session moved on their problems seemed to dwindle but still way off the front runners of Red Bull and Ferarri. Hamilton finished the session in P6 and Russel in P7, over a second off Perez in P1.
As ever it was the two championship protagonists Ferrari and Red Bull who led the pack. Both Leclerc and Sainz were the only drivers who headed out at the start of the session on the hard compound tyres. Maybe an early sign of different strategic plans for Ferarri, but it was Red Bull that led the way throughout the session. Either Verstappen or Perez topped the timetable all the way during FP1.
Within the midfield mix, however, it was Alpha Tauri that seemed to have the upper hand. Having had a difficult start to the season the early signs seem promising for the Italian team. Both Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda finished within the top ten. Once again Daniel Ricciardo struggled in his Mclaren. On a weekend where his future is under scrutiny finishing seven positions off his teammate in P18 is not the start he would of wanted.
Alonso with new updates in his Alpine car finished in a brilliant P5.
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