F1 LIVE | Follow FP1 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku

The first free practice for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is about to start. The Formula 1 cars will return to the Baku City Circuit on Friday for 60 minutes of practice. During this session, we will get the first indiciation of the performance levels between the top teams including McLaren and Red Bull. Will Lando Norris be in a position to cut his gap to Max Verstapen? Follow the liveblog to find out.

Much of the attention will be on McLaren. The Woking-based tea already suggested in Monza that they would do everything they could to help Lando Norris win the world title for drivers, with his teammate Oscar Piastri sometimes playing a supporting role. Whether the Australian can do so remains to be seen in the coming period. Though fresh doubt was put on the team orders, as both Norris and Piastri detailed the small print on the situation.

In addition to the battle at the head of the field, it is also interesting to see how the youngsters get on. Franco Colapinto will start his second Grand Prix with Williams on a track where he has never been active before. Oliver Bearman will also be there, the Briton who previously stood in for Ferrari will now do so at Haas - where he has a permanent seat in 2025. Bearman will replace the suspended Kevin Magnussen this weekend.