close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Russell's Williams shredded by Baku drain cover, FP1 cancelled

Photo: © LAT Images

Russell's Williams shredded by Baku drain cover, FP1 cancelled

FP1 red flagged due to the incident.

George Russell's Williams suffered significant damage after running over a drain cover and shedding vast quantities of carbon fibre in first practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the necessary track repairs set to cause a lengthy delay to Friday's on-track action.

The session was swiftly cancelled, with checks to every drain cover on the circuit now be required, costing the teams an entire session.

It is unclear if the checks will be completed in time for FP2.

Russell's car appeared to suck the drain cover off the floor, slamming it into the underside of his car just 10 minutes or so into Friday's first session.

Russell confirmed he was unharmed by the incident, although the same cannot be said for his FW42.

"I was just going down the straight on the normal line, hit a man hole cover and got the biggest smack in my boy," Russell told Sky Sports.

"The engine turned off, it ruined the floor and I'm worried for the chassis."

The farcical scenes continued as the truck carrying Russell's car back to the pits collided with a bridge, causing fluid or oil to leak over the FW42.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Former Ferrari F1 star set to make surprise return after Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

Former Ferrari F1 star set to make surprise return after Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

  • Yesterday 22:52
Audi urged to make rapid improvements after 'embarrassing' F1 start

Audi urged to make rapid improvements after 'embarrassing' F1 start

  • Yesterday 21:57
Ford chief issues update on Red Bull partnership after F1 power unit changes

Ford chief issues update on Red Bull partnership after F1 power unit changes

  • Yesterday 21:14
Aston Martin fears revealed as F1 insider claims 'anyone I speak to looks depressed'

Aston Martin fears revealed as F1 insider claims 'anyone I speak to looks depressed'

  • Yesterday 20:30
Max Verstappen mania hits the Nurburgring as historic ticket sales announced and fans warned

Max Verstappen mania hits the Nurburgring as historic ticket sales announced and fans warned

  • Yesterday 19:45
Aston Martin announcement to remove Adrian Newey as F1 team boss 'coming soon'

Aston Martin announcement to remove Adrian Newey as F1 team boss 'coming soon'

  • Yesterday 18:58

Just in

11-5
Former Ferrari F1 star set to make surprise return after Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
11-5
Audi urged to make rapid improvements after 'embarrassing' F1 start
11-5
Ford chief issues update on Red Bull partnership after F1 power unit changes
11-5
Aston Martin fears revealed as F1 insider claims 'anyone I speak to looks depressed'
11-5
Max Verstappen mania hits the Nurburgring as historic ticket sales announced and fans warned
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Audi urged to make rapid improvements after 'embarrassing' F1 start Latest F1 News

Audi urged to make rapid improvements after 'embarrassing' F1 start

Yesterday 21:57
Ford chief issues update on Red Bull partnership after F1 power unit changes Red Bull

Ford chief issues update on Red Bull partnership after F1 power unit changes

Yesterday 21:14
Aston Martin fears revealed as F1 insider claims 'anyone I speak to looks depressed' Aston Martin F1

Aston Martin fears revealed as F1 insider claims 'anyone I speak to looks depressed'

Yesterday 20:30
Max Verstappen mania hits the Nurburgring as historic ticket sales announced and fans warned Nurburgring 24 Hours

Max Verstappen mania hits the Nurburgring as historic ticket sales announced and fans warned

Yesterday 19:45
Ontdek het op Google Play
x