Russell tops Azerbaijan GP first practice as Antonelli suffers hydraulic failure

George Russell topped first practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli stopped early with a hydraulic issue.

Why it matters:

With the race scheduled for Saturday rather than the usual Sunday, practice time is at a premium. A strong start at a demanding street circuit like Baku — where overtaking is difficult and track position is key — can set the tone for the entire weekend. Mercedes will be encouraged by Russell's pace, while Antonelli's reliability concern is a reminder of the challenges teams face with the new regulations.

The details:

• Russell's best lap of 1:45.387 put him four-tenths ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
• Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was third, with Lewis Hamilton fourth in the other Ferrari.
• Antonelli ended up fifth, eight-tenths off his teammate's pace, before parking his car.
• The session was briefly interrupted when Antonelli reported a hydraulic issue and stopped on track.

What's next:

Teams now have limited time before qualifying, with second practice and the all-important grid-deciding session taking place on Saturday. Mercedes will hope Russell's form carries over, while the crew works to resolve Antonelli's issue before the weekend intensifies.