Russell leads Mercedes in Azerbaijan practice as Antonelli sidelined

Russell topped the timesheets at Baku City Circuit as teams began preparations for the weekend's racing. The Mercedes driver's strong showing in the first session suggests the team is well-positioned heading into qualifying and race day activities.

Antonelli, who leads the championship standings, was unable to complete a full practice run after encountering mechanical problems that forced him to park his vehicle in the garage. The setback came during what is traditionally a crucial session for teams to gather data and fine-tune setups ahead of qualifying.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on the challenging street circuit in the capital, typically produces unpredictable results with frequent safety car interventions and retirements. Teams use the opening practice session to assess how their cars handle the unique demands of the 6.003-kilometre layout.

Second practice is scheduled to take place later on Thursday, providing teams with another opportunity to resolve any technical issues and continue development work before the weekend progresses.