BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) Red Bull driver Max Verstappen posted the fastest time in the first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday.
In an eventful first session, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had a narrow escape and Sergio Perez looked fast before crashing his Force India.
Verstappen finished about half a second ahead of teammate Daniel Ricciardo, with championship leader Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari third.
Mercedes did not fare so well, with Lewis Hamilton one second behind Verstappen in fifth and Bottas sixth.
The first practice got underway under a clear sky with track temperatures at a blistering 54 degrees C (129 degrees F).