Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton continued his domination of the new Baku City Circuit after topping second practice by over six-tenths of a second.
Hamilton could have gone even faster but locked-up into the final corner.
Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg ended the session in second place, however, was well off Hamilton’s benchmark. The German hit trouble with 20 minutes of the session remaining, losing drive in the final sector.
Formula One heads to Azerbaijan for the first time which hosts the European GP, which was last held in Valencia in 2012. The 6.003km circuit designed by architect Hermann Tilke combines long straights with tight 90-degree turns.
Force India’s Sergio Perez was third fastest and best of the rest behind the two Mercedes as both Ferraris hit MGU-K troubles.
Continuing on from his strong start in Baku, Bottas was an impressive fourth whilst Williams teammate Felipe Massa continued to struggle and was down in 16th.
Carlos Sainz was the highest non-Mercedes powered car in sixth ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who completed 35 laps in the RB12.
