After start accident: Leclerc sets fastest time of the day in Formula 1 training in Baku

The Formula 1 race in Azerbaijan could once again be a close affair. A Ferrari driver is the fastest in training.

Monza winner Charles Leclerc can also hope for success at the Formula 1 race in Baku. After an accident at the start, the Ferrari driver set the fastest time on the first day of training in Azerbaijan. Last year's winner Sergio Pérez in the Red Bull came in second, just six thousandths of a second behind Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton. World champion Max Verstappen had to settle for sixth place in the daily rankings. The Red Bull driver has now been waiting for another victory for six races.

In the first practice session, the 26-year-old world championship leader drove the fastest lap. However, there were three interruptions due to accidents and debris on the track. Just a few minutes after the start of the practice laps, the race management switched the lights back to red because car parts were lying on the track.

Shortly afterwards, Leclerc crashed his Ferrari into the barriers and was unable to continue. The third forced break followed when Williams youngster Franco Colapinto lost control of his car and caused the next accident.

McLaren can take the lead in the World Championship

The second training session was accident-free. Since the teams were concentrating on race preparation and experimenting with different tires and amounts of fuel, the results are only partially meaningful.

Before the 17th of 24 races of the season on Sunday (1 p.m.), the Dutchman Verstappen leads the championship with a 62-point lead over the British McLaren driver Lando Norris. McLaren could already take the lead in the constructors' championship in Azerbaijan. The traditional British team is eight points behind defending champion Red Bull.

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