Russell causes Azerbaijan surprise as red flags again create issues

George Russell caused a surprise by posting the fastest time ahead of qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Russell endured a difficult Friday around the Baku Street Circuit given PU issues with his Mercedes that necessitated a precautionary change, and for the majority of the final practice was not in the running for a leading time.

But with two minutes remaining, Russell took over the top of the timesheet with a lap of 1:42.514s, edging out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.013s, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri a further two-tenths of a second further back.

Norris, who had claimed after a disappointing Friday he was "a long way off", at least indicated he could be in the mix as he looks to close down the 62-point gap in the drivers' standings to Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was fifth quickest, 0.348s adrift.

As with first practice, FP3 was punctuated by red flags, initially for Esteban Ocon as his Alpine ground to a halt, robbing him of another full session after power unit issues in FP1, followed later by a crash at Turn 1 for Haas' Oliver Bearman.

It meant a total of 16 minutes were lost, to add to the 21 from FP1, compromising the run plans of all the teams as they were forced to focus on soft-tyre, low-fuel running throughout.

Disappointment for Ocon and Bearman

It was a session that started on a marginally damp track, not ideal for those looking to make up for lost time on Friday, in particular in light of the three red flags in FP1, resulting in delays totalling 21 minutes.

Over the first 10 minutes, only seven drivers - including Verstappen - ventured out for installation laps none of which were timed.

As the circuit dried out, so the track action ramped up, but just as the first times were about to be posted the red flags were again required as the unfortunate Ocon ground to a halt on track as his Alpine lost power.

That was cruel on Ocon who missed virtually all of FP1 due to an MGU-H issue which necessitated the replacement of the power unit.

Once the stricken Alpine was removed and the pit lane reopened, after a 10-minute delay, it naturally led to virtually every car taking to the track from the off - and all on softs.

It was not until 28 minutes in that the first time was posted, a 1:45.476s from Piastri, although he swiftly dropped fifth as Verstappen took charge.

Naturally, though, as the track rubbered in, the times were lowered, with Albon taking up the lead time with 1:44.371s before another red flag suspended the session as Bearman crashed at Turn 1 after 32 minutes.

Powering down the long start-finish straight, Bearman carried too much speed into the first corner. As he attempted to bail out and take to the extensive run-off area, the young Briton ran out of room and crunched into a barrier with the front left of the car.

Following a further six-minute break, Norris took over the top spot with his first timed lap of 1:44.226s but his lead was short-lived as first Williams' Alex Albon, courtesy of a tow from Russell, and then Leclerc posted the quickest time.

Leclerc, quickest on Friday with a 1:43.484s, edged out that time by 0.029s before the Monégasque was usurped by Perez by 0.066s.

With 13 minutes remaining, Piastri delivered what appeared to be a statement lap to go quickest by over six-tenths of a second.

Yet Leclerc again underlined his potential for a fourth successive pole position at this track by ousting Piastri by 0.185s, only to lose out late as Russell then popped up to lead.

Behind Verstappen was Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, again comfortably off the pace of team-mate Leclerc, followed by Sergio Perez in his Red Bull, with Williams duo Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto eighth and ninth quickest.

A disappointing Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top 10, 0.787s off the pace.

Ocon and Bearman naturally propped up the timesheet, with neither driver setting a time.