LANCE Stroll put in a solid performance in first practice despite heading to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix blind, having never tested or raced in Baku.

The 18-year-old, who drives for Grove-based Williams, scored his first points in Canada a fortnight ago when finishing ninth in Montreal.

Stroll is now hungry for more, of the same.

But admits this weekend will be a test, having never driven around the street circuit or experienced its tight bends in the simulator.

Despite that, he posted the 11th fastest time in yesterday’s first practice session.

Speaking earlier this week, Stroll said: “Going to Baku is a new experience as not only have I never been there before, but last year when the race was on I missed it on TV as I was competing somewhere else.

“I don’t know what it is like yet as I haven’t done any simulator work and usually do this just before I fly to the race.”

“The stories I have heard are of a really cool place and so I am really looking forward to seeing it for myself.”

Teammate Felipe Massa, who was eighth quickest in practice, crashed out on the first lap in Montreal and is hoping for better.

He said: “ We had a double points finish there last year, and after my early retirement in Canada I hope we can come away with another strong result and some good points.”

Enstone-based Renault suffered a tough session with Jolyon Palmer 18th.

Teammate Nico Hulkenberg was more than a second quicker in 14th and the German driver admits he will have to be brave behind the wheel this weekend.

The 29-year-old said: “There are some walls waiting for you, so it is important to be quite brave.

“It is the fastest street circuit on the calendar.

“Overtaking will be possible with the long, DRS straights.

“There are a lot of tight, 90-degree turns matched with flat-out kinks, so I am looking forward to racing it.

“The castle complex will be especially close for the wider cars.”

Banbury-based Haas enjoyed better results, with Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean 12th and 13th respectively.

The former said: “It’s going to be fun. The corners are going to be faster this year because of the increased downforce.”