Nail-biting seconds: Verstappen edges Russell by the narrowest of margins!

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, the 28-year-old Dutch driver of Red Bull, sharply expressed his frustration with the behavior of his RB26 car during the third free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

TodayPress TV reports that the experienced driver ran into the run-off area while braking and voiced his frustration over team radio:

“Can this car not bounce like a kangaroo at least once? Oh, God!”

It should be noted that despite his dissatisfaction with the behavior of his Red Bull car, Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of the session with a time of 1:43.922 to finish first.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who had topped the first two sessions, finished second, just 0.099 seconds behind Verstappen. Ferrari representative Lewis Hamilton (+0.111 seconds) took third place.

The top 10 in the third free practice session:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 1:43.922

2. George Russell (Mercedes) — +0.099

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — +0.111

4. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — +0.351

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — +0.622

6. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) — +0.715

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — +0.824

8. Lando Norris (McLaren) — +0.977

9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) — +1.254

10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) — +1.670 

In the second half of the day, the drivers will take part in qualifying to determine their starting positions for the main race.

Namiq HUN