Max Verstappen pips George Russell in closing stages of Azerbaijan GP final practice

Red Bull's Max Verstappen pipped George Russell to the line in the closing stages of the final practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Dutchman finished 0.099 seconds from Russell, who was looking like the driver to beat after topping both sessions on Thursday.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton snuck into the top three to split the Mercedes of Russell and Kimi Antonelli, over one-tenth off Verstappen's pace.

Antonelli, who holds an 81-point lead over Russell in the title standings with nine scheduled rounds still remaining, finished 0.351 seconds down on Verstappen.

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Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc set the fifth best time, a place clear of Alpine's Pierre Gasly, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris seventh and eighth respectively for McLaren.

Isack Hadjar in the other Red Bull finished in ninth and has returned to the cockpit for the first time in three races after recovering from a wrist injury, while Alpine's Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.

Qualifying will take place at 1 p.m. BST / 8 a.m.

Information from PA contributed to this report.