Hamilton criticizes ‘moaning’ rivals on Baku debut

It takes a lot of focus, which is something I like. But that’s how things go when you’re pushing the limits and I’m not going to change my approach or start backing down.

Nobody had as big a crash in the second session, but Esteban Gutierrez became the first driver to clip the barrier at the incredibly tight sequence of corners around the old city walls, clipping the inside at Turn 9.

Described as being akin to a “high-speed Monaco” by Force India’s Sergio Perez, the circuit proved challenging and contrasting in equal measure during Friday practice with the field striving to find a suitable set-up for a layout that contains several ultra-slow, single-file sections and also the longest straight in F1.

While Sebastian Vettel thundered around for hours at Maranello covering 70 laps of the new Baku track before even arriving for Sunday’s European GP in Azerbaijan, Hamilton did just seven.

Sebastian Vettel should have won last week in Montreal, had it not been for a rash decision to bring him into the pits on the 10 lap for a change of tyres just as the virtual safety auto period was coming to a rapid end.

‘Unfortunately my second session was a bit compromised this afternoon as I had to stop the auto after I lost power. As we have never been to this street circuit before, it is hard to predict what might happen. I was a bit surprised by the order today, seeing Force India just behind us.

In the aftermath of the session, track officials began work on fixing a problem with loose kerbs that had caused a spate of cut tyres.

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his vehicle during the first free practice session at the Baku circuit, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday, June 17, 2016.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was on course for a pole-to-flag victory in Monaco until a pitstop blunder cost him the win.

Ricciardo hit the barrier while exiting turn 15. I don’t know where everyone is compared to us at the moment but it’s looking pretty strong.

“I don’t know what was the issue at the end of the session, for sure something happened, the vehicle stopped but we still don’t know why”, Raikkonen said.

“Ultimately we’re all learning and when you get a new track you take it one step at a time but as fast as you can, you trip and then you get back on and you keep going”.

“The auto felt good, what is missing is some speed, but I am sure we can improve and I am sure we will find something for tomorrow”. “It’s a good challenge”.

On the supersofts the German went to the top of the timesheets with 1m 44.913s, but Hamilton’s response was spoiled when he slid over the kerb at Turn 16 after setting purple first and second sector times – he ended up four-tenths down on his previous best.

‘One lap pace was a bit tricky for me, as I only had one set of Soft tyres to use.