Baku FP1: Verstappen tops as Red Bull show good pace

Red Bull surprised the Formula 1 paddock as they ended the first free practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix top of the time sheets, with Max Verstappen ahead of Daniel Ricciardo.

On a track which would seem to favour the top speeds of Mercedes and Ferrari, Verstappen's best time of 1:44.410 was four tenths up on Ricciardo's best and notably a full second up on the best Mercedes driver.

Sebastian Vettel was half a second down on the top time in the third place, with Sergio Perez fourth fastest in the Force India. But the Mexican slammed the wall at the narrow Turn 8 section extensively damaging the right side of his car, the front end extensively twisted.

Up next were the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, fifth and sixth respectively suggesting that the Silver Arrows duo have yet to unleash the full potential of their cars or that Red Bull have made a huge step in the development race. Time will tell...

Esteban Ocon was seventh on the timing screens when the chequered flag waved to end the 90 minutes morning session, ahead of fellow Mercedes powered driver Felipe Massa in the Williams.

Kimi Raikkonen was ninth in the other Ferrari, half a second down on his teammate and 1.5 seconds off the benchmark time. The Reds perhaps also keeping their powder dry for later.

Rounding out the top ten was Daniil Kvyat in the Toro Rosso.

The Baku City Circuit was very 'green' and dusty, which resulted in a session packed with off track excursions as drivers came to grips with the surface which is in use for only the second time as a grand prix venue.

Report in progress...