EL3: Bottas improves the mark in Baku

Valtteri Bottas improved the testing time for the Azerbaijan GP in Baku. Sebastian Vettel missed part of the session following a mechanical problem.

Published on 24/06/2017 à 13:13

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The Mercedes found some color in the last practice session of the Azerbaijan GP in Baku. Valtteri Bottas signed the new test reference time with a lap completed in 1'42''742 with the super soft tires, ahead of the lead by 95 thousandths. Ferrari by Kimi Räikkönen. His teammate Lewis Hamilton was also more efficient, taking 3rd place, 4 tenths behind the first W08.

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) on the other hand had a more complicated morning since he only took 12th place ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr. (Toro Rosso). The Championship leader encountered a mechanical problem forcing him to stay in the pits at the end of the session.

The Red Bull remained well placed with Daniel Ricciardo 4th, just over half a second behind Valtteri Bottas, while Max Verstappen ranked 6th almost 9 tenths behind the Force India ofEsteban Ocon. The Dutchman suffered a mechanical problem ten minutes from the checkered flag forcing him to dismount.

Both Williams are in the top ten with Felipe Massa 7th and Lance stroll 9th behind the Toro Rosso of Daniil Kvyat. Sergio Pérez (Force India) completes the top ten, half a second behind his teammate.

Si Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) finished in 11th place, his teammate Jolyon Palmer suffered from a fire on his engine at the start of the session and ranked last.

Marshals on hand quickly to damp down the flames #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/tJVFK7Fo15

— Formula 1 (@F1) 24th June 2017

Kevin Magnussen (Haas) finished 15th, more than 2s behind Valtteri Bottas while being surrounded by the McLaren de Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, condemned to start from the back of the grid. Romain Grosjean (Haas) is 17th after having again encountered significant brake problems. The Frenchman beat the Saubers of Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein.