Russell leads Baku practice as Antonelli, Norris struggle with setbacks

Russell posted the fastest time during the first practice session in Baku, establishing an early benchmark for the weekend as teams began their preparations for the street circuit encounter. The session provided valuable data for teams navigating the demanding layout of the Azerbaijani capital's challenging configuration.

Antonelli, leading the championship standings, faced mechanical complications during the session when a hydraulics failure impacted his running. Despite the setback, the driver managed to complete the session in fifth position, limiting potential damage to his points advantage heading into qualifying and race day. The technical issue will likely be examined closely by his team ahead of the second practice outing.

Norris encountered his own difficulties during the opening session, finishing 14th as he worked to find the optimal setup for his car on the Baku street circuit. The McLaren driver will have the afternoon session to make adjustments and recover lost ground before the competitive intensity increases.

With multiple drivers facing challenges early in the weekend, practice two would provide a crucial opportunity for teams to resolve issues and refine their strategies ahead of Saturday's qualifying session.