The first free practice session of the day in Baku was halted after just fifteen minutes on Friday when Williams’ George Russell hit and blew up a manhole cover on the street circuit.

The incident occurred on the run between Turn 3 and 4 when the Williams dislodged the drain cover which was subsequently sucked up before it slammed into the underside of the FW42’s, seriously damaging the Williams and leaving a trail of debris.

“I was just going down the straight on the normal line, hit a manhole cover and got the biggest smack in my boy,” Russell told Sky Sports.

“The engine turned off, it ruined the floor and I’m worried for the chassis.”

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The comedy of errors took another bad turn for Williams when the truck carrying Russell’s car saw its crane crash into a bridge, its hydraulic fluid then pouring over the already damaged FW42!

With over 300 manhole covers located around Baku’s street circuit, a thorough security check or eventual repairs and welding could possibly jeopardize the running on Friday afternoon.

Baku’s organisers have a reputation for being on top of things but the occurrence will undoubtedly blot their copy.

The incident will also provide F1’s new race director Michael Masi with a major headache.

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