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FP1 LIVE | The only free practice session during the F1 weekend in Baku
- GPblog.com
The first and only free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is about to get underway in Baku. Due to the alternative sprint format weekend, this is the only time drivers and teams will get to test out their set-up. So for the Formula 1 drivers, it is very important to put in a lot of miles.
F1 LIVE | FP1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix
With the new sprint format, qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix is scheduled for later today. After FP1, all cars go into parc fermé and so there is little more that can be done to the set-up. Racing teams can still play a little with the front wing for more or less downforce later in the weekend, but that's about as far as it goes.
The Baku City Circuit features a hugely long straight. That should play into the hands of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's Red Bull Racing, but there are also some slower corners where you can gain (and lose) a lot of time.
Upgrades
The upgrades will be something to look out for during this session. After an unusual three-week spring hiatus, teams have had time to introduce new parts. Though more are expected when F1 returns to Europe in two rounds time. Lando Norris confirmed that McLaren are now starting where they should've started in Bahrain, whilst Alpine also confirmed they have added new parts. It remains to be seen what the top teams will bring. Lewis Hamilton hinted at some improvements to his Mercedes but admitted it's nothing major.