Hamilton edges Rosberg in Baku practice, Ricciardo crashes

But Hamilton, who was over half a second faster than Rosberg in Practice Two to head an ominous Mercedes one-two, argued that the circuit’s blemishes should have been welcomed by his peers.

Speaking Thursday, drivers described the European Grand Prix circuit variously as “unique”, “exciting”, and “fun” due to its narrow confines, but Rosberg was less enthusiastic when asked about the unforgiving closeness of the walls and barriers, and lack of runoff space at several corners.

“The track isn’t easy, however – not because the layout is particularly hard to learn but because it’s very slippery out there. I’ve enjoyed driving today”.

“The track is pretty cool”, said Rosberg.

The entry comes after a tight chicane – which is preceded by what is now the longest straight in the sport – before a 100-metre dash to the pit-lane speed limiter line. I was a bit surprised by the order. But on the long run with the SuperSoft I was feeling good out there. “I’ve lost out unfortunately in Montreal and that’s it. I’ll fight back”.

“We are still investigating”.

Even so, Rosberg insists that he’s not anxious about the tightening situation in the championship battle, and says that he will continue approaching each race one week at a time just like he always has.

“It’s an incredible circuit: really challenging, no margin for error, and a real pleasure to drive”.

“As far as I know the FIA do every test possible for safety, and the run off-areas that you need for each corner”.

We’ve barely recovered from Canada and now F1 is back in action at the brand new Baku circuit for Round 8. Eric Boullier, McLaren’s racing director, told Motorsport.com: “Because we don’t want to destroy this year, we don’t want to talk before September”.

Will we see a surprise victor this weekend?

Force India pair of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg were also both inside the top 10, finishing sixth and tenth respectively.

“In the end I don’t think we had a bad day”.

“The good news is we are in Baku this weekend so not long now until we get another crack at it and hopefully fill up some of those top shelves with some more trophies”.

“I am confident because I believe in the team, in the vehicle and sometimes also believe in myself!” I think that the braking at Turn 15 will be tricky – at least it was on the sim! McLaren’s Fernando Alonso said he has not driven one lap, and Hamilton said he’d done just eight.

However, world champion Lewis Hamilton sounds uncertain. If you would like to get a feel for the track, check out this onboard video posted by the circuit.

Still, when in doubt go with the hot hand and the fast vehicle.

Haas’s Esteban Gutierrez explored them the most regularity – he suffered multiple off-track moments through the session, and Raikkonen’s session ended five minutes early when his rear wheels locked and he slid into an escape road and had to park up. Sauber Ferrari – Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.