Charles Leclerc topped the time sheets as the first two free practice sessions concluded in Baku ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
His Ferrari was ahead of title rivals Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.
The Monegasque, who trailed Perez at the end of the first session, pulled out a one-minute, 43.224-second lap in the second hour of running to end the day 0.248 seconds clear of the Mexican.
Championship leader Max Verstappen was third 0.356 seconds off the pace.
Leclerc has been exceptional during practices but a number of mistakes have allowed the Dutchman to lead Leclerc by nine points in the overall standings after seven of this season’s 22 rounds.
Perez, the winner in Monaco two weeks ago, is bidding to become the first repeat winner in Baku on Sunday and is third 15 points behind his Red Bull teammate.
Fernando Alonso was a surprise fourth for Alpine ahead of compatriot Carlos Sainz who was fifth for Ferrari.
Pierre Gasly ended the day sixth for AlphaTauri ahead of George Russell and teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Esteban Ocon in the other Alpine and McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top-10 ahead of Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who once again struggled with proposing issue.
Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi caused two virtual safety car periods during the first session and several drivers also kissed the barriers or ran wide into the run-off areas as they tested the limits of the track.
The final free practice in Baku will take place today ahead of qualifying with Red Bull and Ferrari again expected to lock out the front row.
