Photo via Autosport

F1 Azerbaijan GP: Russell fastest in first practice as Antonelli's Mercedes breaks down

During the opening practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell posted the quickest lap time. The Mercedes competitor clocked a time of one minute and forty-five point three eight seven seconds during the final third of the hour-long period to secure the top spot ahead of Max Verstappen.

Meanwhile, trouble struck the other side of the Mercedes garage as Kimi Antonelli suffered a mechanical failure that halted his running prematurely. Behind the leading pair, Charles Leclerc completed the top three positions for Ferrari as the weekend action commenced.