Formula One: Ferrari and Red Bull endure Baku woe

Ferrari and Red Bull endured significant difficulties in Friday's two practice sessions for the European Grand Prix on a Baku circuit that has been strongly criticised.

While Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg set the pace again in both sessions, it was down the standings that the real intrigue unfolded.

Sebastian Vettel was languishing in eighth in P2 and vented some of his frustration with a comical blast at McLaren's Fernando Alonso.

"I'm losing tyre temperature like crazy, because Alonso is taking a bus tour around Baku," he fumed over the Ferrari team radio.

With his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen faring even worse in 13th in P2 and Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo seventh and 10th respectively in the second session, a few supposed lesser lights got a chance to shine.

Sergio Perez was third quickest in the second session and his Force India team-mate Nico Hulkenberg was fifth.

Many drivers have expressed concerns over the track in Azerbaijan after several tyres suffered cuts caused by the kerbs.

It remains to be seen who will fare best in the testing conditions come qualifying on Saturday, but all the signs point to another good weekend for Mercedes, who hold first and second spot in the drivers' standings, with Rosberg nine points ahead of Hamilton.