Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes in first practice for the European Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Azerbaijan.
It was a tentative session as drivers sampled the new street track for the first time, with many drivers being caught out and taking to the run-off areas.
Hamilton was one of the drivers to suffer off-track excursions, even clipping the wall in the first sector. However, he managed to remain fastest with a 1m46.435.
His team-mate Nico Rosberg was second, three tenths further back. Valtteri Bottas led the way early on and was third, with Fernando Alonso next up for McLaren.
Sebastian Vettel finished FP1 in fifth, ahead of Sergio Perez, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Carlos Sainz Jr.
The Toro Rosso driver went straight on at Turn 15 and just managed to get the car slowed down, although he did clip the barrier and pick up minor damage to his front wing.
Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t so lucky. Earlier in the session he brought out the red flag after losing the rear and hitting the wall at the same corner, damaging the right-rear corner of his car.
The Australian was 13th overall, behind Nico Hulkenberg, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen. Esteban Gutierrez was next up, with Marcus Ericsson being one of several to sample the generous Turn 1 run-off area.
Max Verstappen’s session was compromised by an issue and he completed few laps in first practice, ending the morning 16th quickest, just ahead of the driver he replaced at Red Bull, Daniil Kvyat.
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