F1 Full Results | Russell sets the pace in Azerbaijan GP FP1

It was a session where a number of drivers saw reliability issues affect their running, including that of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Italian had been leading the session near the halfway stage, before he pulled off track with what he reported to be an hydraulics issue. It was a huge blow for Mercedes who will have a big job to get his car ready for FP2.

McLaren also endured problems on both cars which limited running for both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Both cars had issues with their floor boards which required temporary fixes for them to go back out on track towards the end of the session.

Isack Hadjar saw his session end early with an engine issue, Nico Hulkenberg stopped on circuit late in the session, while Carlos Sainz in the upgraded Williams saw his brakes go up on fire which also limited his running. Esteban Ocon ran strongly for Haas but stopped at the end of the pitlane at the end of the morning session.

Russell ultimately set the fastest time with a 1:45.387, exactly four tenths quicker than Verstappen. However, the Brit nearly had some drama of his own as he nearly crashed into the wall but bailed out at the last possible second to go down the escape road.

Verstappen in second and Charles Leclerc in third, both locked up at Turn 1 and went off track, while Lewis Hamilton and Antonelli rounded out the Top 5.

Piastri returned to the track at the end of the session to go sixth, with Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Esteban Ocon and Gabriel Bortoleto completing the top 10.