Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are confident Red Bull can challenge for pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after setting the pace in Friday practice.
After leading a one-two in FP1, Verstappen impressively topped the timings once again in the afternoon before bizarrely hitting the barriers at the first corner in the dying stages.
Nonetheless, qualifying is set to be a close-run affair, with just over a tenth separating Verstappen and fourth-placed Kimi Raikkonen in FP2.
“The whole day has been really positive, except the last lap [the accident], everything has been working well,” Verstappen said.
“From lap one I felt comfortable in the car, it was handling really well and I was confident with the setup.
“I think the preparation we did at the factory and in the simulator has allowed us to come here with a strong setup and competitive car from the go.
“We are confident heading into qualifying but also wary that Mercedes will turn their engines up a bit. We are on top at the end of Friday which means they have to catch up so it will be exciting in the session tomorrow.
“This has definitely been the most positive Friday of the year so far.”
Team-mate Ricciardo is also cautiously optimistic as he targets a first pole position since last year’s Monaco Grand Prix.
“It’s been a good day for myself and Max and great that we were in the top three in both sessions,” the 27-year old said.
“Like always, we should not celebrate on a Friday but we are in the ballpark, so hopefully tomorrow we can stay at the front.”
