F1 Azerbaijan GP LIVE: Practice schedule, FP3 start time and updates in Baku

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were the quickest on Friday - who will top the timesheet in the final hour of practice?

Adrian Newey unveiled as Aston Martin's new Managing Technical Partner

F1 returns after a one-week break this weekend as Baku hosts the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and round 17 of the 2024 season.

Charles Leclerc secured a famous victory for Ferrari at Monza last time out, ahead of the quick McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. British driver Norris now trails Max Verstappen - who could only finish sixth in Italy - by 62 points in the world championship with eight races to go.

• READ MORE: Why did Adrian Newey choose Aston Martin over Ferrari?

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the last race in Baku last April, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing a return to form as well on the popular street circuit by the Caspian Sea.

It has already been an eventful week in F1, with Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey announcing his move to Aston Martin for next year in a massive statement of intent, turning down Ferrari in the process.

Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• The Baku City Circuit hosts round 17 of the 2024 F1 season
• FP3 starts at 9:30am (BST); qualifying is at 1pm
• Charles Leclerc was fastest in FP2; Perez 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
• CRASH! Charles Leclerc hits the wall in first practice
• Max Verstappen has a 62-point lead to Lando Norris with eight races to go

[14 September 2024 09:17 · Kieran Jackson]

The anatomy of Lando Norris on pole – and the seven times it’s gone wrong

McLaren have made their move. Ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix and with eight grands prix and three sprint races to go, championship contender Lando Norris will now receive No 1 status.

At long last, some might say. Others will say it has come too late.

Full piece below:

[14 September 2024 09:12 · Kieran Jackson]

Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:

1. Max Verstappen - 303 points

2. Lando Norris - 241 points

3. Charles Leclerc - 217 points

4. Oscar Piastri - 197 points

5. Carlos Sainz - 184 points

6. Lewis Hamilton - 164 points

7. Sergio Perez - 143 points

8. George Russell - 128 points

9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points

10. Lance Stroll - 24 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points

12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points

13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points

14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points

15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points

16. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points

17. Alex Albon - 6 points

18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points

19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points

20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points

21. Franco Colapinto - 0 points

22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points

[14 September 2024 09:08 · Kieran Jackson]

What are the timings this weekend in Azerbaijan?

All times BST

Saturday 14 September

• Free practice 3: 9:30am
• Qualifying: 1pm

Sunday 15 September

• Race: 12pm

[14 September 2024 09:06 · Kieran Jackson]

F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: FP3!

F1 returns after a one-week break this weekend as Baku hosts the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and round 17 of the 2024 season.

Charles Leclerc secured a famous victory for Ferrari at Monza last time out, ahead of the quick McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. British driver Norris now trails Max Verstappen - who could only finish sixth in Italy - by 62 points in the world championship with eight races to go.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the last race in Baku last April, while the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing a return to form as well on the popular street circuit by the Caspian Sea.

It has already been an eventful week in F1, with Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey announcing his move to Aston Martin for next year in a massive statement of intent, turning down Ferrari in the process.

(Getty Images)

[13 September 2024 18:30 · Kieran Jackson]

Join us tomorrow!

Thanks for keeping up with our coverage at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday!

Join us tomorrow for qualifying, which starts at 1pm (BST).

(Getty Images)

[13 September 2024 18:13 · Kieran Jackson]

The anatomy of Lando Norris on pole – and the seven times it’s gone wrong

Feature by Kieran Jackson

If Lando Norris were to chase down Verstappen and win his first world championship in Abu Dhabi in December, it would be the mightiest comeback in F1 history. But to do so, and take advantage of performances in qualifying which have been sumptuous in recent months, he has one obvious area to strengthen.

It is now seven times that Norris has started an F1 race on pole – and seven times he has failed to lead when starting lap two.

What has Norris been doing wrong? Are there repeated issues at the start line? We break down all seven of those pole position starts – dating back to 2021 – to highlight where Norris must improve if he is to start claiming consistent lights-to-flag victories with the minimum of fuss.

[13 September 2024 16:42 · Kieran Jackson]

Driver Standings ahead of Baku:

1. Max Verstappen - 303 points

2. Lando Norris - 241 points

3. Charles Leclerc - 217 points

4. Oscar Piastri - 197 points

5. Carlos Sainz - 184 points

6. Lewis Hamilton - 164 points

7. Sergio Perez - 143 points

8. George Russell - 128 points

9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points

10. Lance Stroll - 24 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points

12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points

13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points

14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points

15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points

16. Kevin Magnussen - 6 points

17. Alex Albon - 6 points

18. Esteban Ocon - 5 points

19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points

20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points

21. Franco Colapinto - 0 points

22. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points

[13 September 2024 16:20 · Kieran Jackson]

What are the timings for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

All times BST

Saturday 14 September

• Free practice 3: 9:30am
• Qualifying: 1pm

Sunday 15 September

• Race: 12pm

[13 September 2024 15:59 · Kieran Jackson]

Adrian Newey criticises Sky F1’s ‘nationalistic’ coverage of Max Verstappen

Adrian Newey has labelled Sky Sports’ coverage of Formula One “nationalistic” when discussing Max Verstappen’s status in the sport.

Newey, whose 2025 move to Aston Martin was announced on Tuesday, has been the chief designer behind Verstappen’s championship-winning Red Bull cars in the last three years.

Newey was also the lead architect behind the Red Bull cars which powered Sebastian Vettel to four straight drivers’ titles from 2010-2013 – a feat Verstappen is looking to match this year.

[13 September 2024 15:41 · Kieran Jackson]

Charles Leclerc hits out at Ferrari team after crash in Azerbaijan GP practice

Charles Leclerc voiced his irritation with his Ferrari team and car on a difficult opening day at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the Monegasque driver.

Leclerc, who raised hopes of an unlikely F1 title bid with victory at his team’s home race at Monza a fortnight ago, was the fastest man on track in first practice before dumping his car into the wall just over halfway through the session.

Full piece below: