Sainz's Williams catches fire as brake issues hit Azerbaijan FP1

Carlos Sainz's Williams caught fire during the first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as brake problems dominated the opening minutes at the Baku Street Circuit.

The rear brakes on Sainz's car ignited as he returned to the garage early in the session. His Williams crew quickly extinguished the flames, but the incident underscored a worrying trend that affected multiple drivers.

Why it matters:

Brake reliability is critical on the high-speed, stop-and-go Baku circuit, where heavy braking zones test equipment to the limit. With several drivers reporting serious issues in FP1, teams will be scrambling to find solutions before qualifying, as any unresolved problem could spell disaster in a race known for incidents.

The details:

• Isack Hadjar, back in the Red Bull after missing three races with a wrist injury, reported "crazy pulling on the brakes," adding he "nearly shunted into the wall."
• Oscar Piastri followed with his own worrying message, saying the vibration on his brakes was "unbelievable, twice as bad as anything I've ever had."
• Alex Albon, Sainz's Williams teammate, also reported strange brake behavior: "My brakes feel very strange. It's pulling and it comes in late. I don't know what I'm going to get."
• Sainz's fire then compounded Williams' FP1 woes, though the crew dealt with it swiftly and the session continued without further drama.

What's next:

Teams will now investigate the root causes of these brake issues ahead of FP2. With street circuit conditions and limited practice time, resolving the problem quickly will be crucial for both performance and safety. Expect teams to focus on cooling and brake-by-wire settings before the next session.