Formula One returns on Sunday after a week-long break, and several drivers were on track to practice ahead of a qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
But the practice session was halted unexpectedly on Friday after French driver Pierre Gasly’s Alpine car caught fire.
Large flames and smoke rose from the back of Gasly’s car. He quickly brought the car to a stop 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 Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit on April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Gasly got out of the car safely and did not appear to be injured.
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The flames broke out about 15 minutes into the session. Crew members responded and quickly extinguished the flames.
Track officials put out the fire in the car of Pierre Gasly of France and Alpine F1 during practice ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit on April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Once the track was cleared, the session resumed. Gasly earned four points in the first three races of the season after finishing ninth 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 Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit on April 28, 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Gasly stayed in the Alpine garage once Friday’s practice session resumed. Max Verstapppen, the recovering world champion, beat Charles Leclerc in the session.
The drivers will have to adapt to the new sprint race format in Baku. Under the new format, one of the qualifying sessions determines the order for Sunday’s grand prix, while the other decides the starting grid for the sprint race.
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Riders will now only have one hour of practice before qualifying for this weekend’s main event instead of three hours.