Daniel Ricciardo apologises to Red Bull for Baku F1 practice crash

While many drivers slid down the escape road at the downhill Turn 15 right-hander, Ricciardo did heavy damage to his car when he hit the wall at that point.

He was delighted that Red Bull was able to repair it in time for him to resume running from the start of second practice.

"I didn't brake that late but I think I came off the brakes too quick and I carried too much speed across the corner," Ricciardo explained.

"Even at the apex I didn't think there was a problem and then I realised I had carried too much speed and the rear kicked out and it caused a lot of damage.

"The guys did a pretty awesome job to get me out there on time for FP2 and we got the whole session.

"I apologised for the accident this morning. I felt a bit bad about it."

NOT HIDING ANY PACE

Red Bull was a low-key presence on the Friday timesheets, with neither car in the top 10 in the morning - when Ricciardo's crash followed an oil leak that sidelined Max Verstappen - and the pair just seventh and 10th in the afternoon.

Ricciardo admitted that was not a case of sandbagging or running conservative engine modes, but a sign the team was off the pace.

"We weren't hiding much today at all," he said.

"With these new surfaces, if you can get that tyre to work and find that next step of grip, it can equate with a big chunk of lap time.

"We have to find it but if we find but if we do overnight then we should be a lot closer tomorrow.

"We have some challenges knowing where to really run the car, and what level of downforce to run but we are ready to work tonight and go tomorrow."