Formula One returns Sunday after a weeks-long hiatus, and several drivers were on the track to practice ahead of a qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
But the practice session came to an unexpected stop Friday after French driver Pierre Gasly’s Alpine car caught fire.
Large flames and smoke rose from the rear of Gasly’s car. He quickly stopped the car, and a red flag brought the session to a halt.
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Pierre Gasly of France and Alpine F1 leaves his car after it caught fire during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Gasly made it out of the car safely and did not appear to be injured.
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The flames broke out about 15 minutes after the session started. Crew members responded and quickly extinguished the flames.
Track marshals put out the fire in the car of Pierre Gasly of France and Alpine F1 during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
After the track was cleared, the session resumed. Gasly earned four points from the first three races of the season after he finished in ninth place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
In his most recent race in Australia, Gasly failed to finish.
Pierre Gasly of France and Alpine F1 leaves his car after it caught fire during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Gasly stayed back in the Alpine garage once Friday’s practice session resumed. Max Verstapppen, the regaining world champion, beat Charles Leclerc in the session.
Drivers will have to adjust to the new sprint race format in Baku. Under the new format, one of the qualifying sessions determine the order for Sunday’s grand prix, while the other decides the starting grid for the sprint race.
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Drivers will now only have one hour of practice time ahead of qualifying for this weekend’s main event instead of three hours.
