Azerbaijan GP: Sergio Perez edges out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in Practice 3 at Baku

Sergio Perez continues to show solid form to set fastest time in 3 trials in Baku; Charles Leclerc second for Ferrari, with Max Verstappen third for Red Bull; watch Azerbaijan GP qualifying live at 3pm on Sky Sports F1, with a ramp-up from 2pm

Sergio Perez once again edged out Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen by edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to be fastest in final practice ahead of qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP.

Perez and Leclerc exchanged braces in Friday’s two practice sessions, and were able to edge world champion Verstappen again as Red Bull and Ferrari made their final preparations for Saturday’s shootout, which is live on Sky Sports at 3 p.m..

Leclerc appeared to have the advantage over the Red Bulls for much of the session despite the continuous porpoises in his Ferrari, but in the final 10 minutes Perez clocked a 1:43.170 lap to edge the Ferrari by less than a tenth of a second.

Verstappen, who finished 0.2 seconds behind, had his final flying lap attempt ruined as he ran into traffic on the Baku street circuit, with the Dutchman taking to the team radio to express his frustration.

Carlos Sainz finished fourth in the other Ferrari, while McLaren edged out struggling Mercedes as Lando Norris finished one place ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo in sixth.

Lewis Hamilton, who complained after practice on Friday that he was in pain from extreme bouncing in the Mercedes, repeated his P2 performance finishing 12th, with team-mate George Russell only eighth behind the Alpha Tauri by Pierre Gasly.

The start of final practice was delayed by 15 minutes after an accident in the closing stages of the F2 sprint race left the track damaged at Turn 1, with qualifying now also set to be pushed back due to the FIA ​​regulations insisting on two hours between sessions.

Perez’s strong performance in Baku, where he won last year after Verstappen pulled out of the lead following a tire puncture, follows his first win of the season in Monaco last month. last.

The Mexican’s win at Monaco, which was followed by the announcement of a two-year contract extension with the team, moved him within 15 points of Verstappen at the top of the world championship standings, with Leclerc between them.

Perez’s solid form has led to debate over whether he is a true World Championship contender, and his performance so far this weekend in Baku has only bolstered his credentials, the Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insisted on Friday that his drivers will be treated fairly.

Leclerc, who is looking to end a four-race winless streak that followed two wins in the first three races of the season, went off course at Turn 15 as he tried to improve on Perez’s time in the final stages of the session.

The Monegasque’s qualifying form this season has been powerful, with the five pole positions he has taken in seven races this season likely to ensure he remains confident ahead of a crucial qualifying.

Mercedes were unable to capitalize on the apparent advance they made at last month’s Spanish GP, with the Silver Arrows likely to be more concerned about the pace of the midfield cars than Red Bull and Ferrari, who remain in a league of their own at the front.

After appearing out of rhythm on Friday, McLaren were the midfield team to take the biggest step forward in P3, with Ricciardo under pressure notably setting a time that was less than a tenth off his team-mate Norris, who has repeatedly surpassed him.

In contrast to McLaren’s impressive display, Alpine appeared to take a step back as Esteban Ocon finished ninth, two places ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso, who finished Friday’s second practice session in fifth.

The Ferrari-powered Haas and Alfa Romeo teams were also disappointed, with Valtteri Bottas finishing 19th for the latter, beating only Nicholas Latifi’s Williams.