Despite their fair share of ragged moments, McLaren looked to have the edge in free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lando Norris topped the timesheets in FP1 and FP3, while his teammate Oscar Piastri managed second and third in both sessions, respectively. It wasn’t all plain sailing as Norris hit the barriers at turns two and four during his qualifying simulation run in FP2, breaking his suspension and losing some valuable running time.
Piastri also hit the barriers at turn 15 in FP2 and again at turn four in FP3. He ran wide at turn one and got stuck in traffic during final practice.
McLaren could clinch a second consecutive constructors’ crown in Baku. Such is the conviction with which they’ve dominated this season that a one-two or even a one-three would be enough to secure the title a staggering seven races before season’s end.
That said, Ferrari gave McLaren plenty to think about on Friday as Charles Leclerc secured third in FP1, before going second quickest in FP2, one place behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion survived a couple of brushes with the barrier as well as a wayward moment at turn seven to secure a time of 1m 41.293s. Just seven hundredths of a second off Norris’ best run in FP3. Hamilton praised his team’s efforts and lauded the changes that had been made to the SF-25’s brakes.
The qualifying simulations in FP2 indicate that Ferrari are just six hundredths of a second behind McLaren over one lap. However, Leclerc was quick to curb any expectations, describing McLaren as being “in another world” with regard to one-lap pace. Leclerc has a formidable record in Baku, having claimed pole position in each of the last four Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In contrast to his commanding victory last time out at Monza, Max Verstappen was largely anonymous throughout FP1 and FP2. The reigning world champion was able to put a credible lap together in FP3 to end the session two tenths of a second off Norris, as Red Bull’s straight-line speed looks to be their greatest strength.
Mercedes’ pace in free practice suggests they are unlikely to challenge the McLarens. George Russell managed a best result of 3rd in FP2, before enduring a series of lockups in FP3 en route to P6. One place and nine hundredths of a second off his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who comes to Baku in need of a good result after an Italian Grand Prix that Toto Wolff described as ‘underwhelming’.
Alex Albon had a solid run to seventh in FP3, despite a brush with the barriers at turn four. Ollie Bearman ended the final practice session in eighth, one place ahead of Liam Lawson, who suffered a massive spin at turn 16. Leclerc touched the barriers at turn 16 and ended FP3 in tenth.
Isack Hadjar went eleventh quickest, despite his concern about stronger winds brought on by overnight rain ahead of Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Yuki Tsunoda, who was once again unable to match his teammate.
Esteban Ocon locked up at turn 15 in FP1 before finishing the final session 17th, ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly. The Alpine driver scraped the wall at turn four before running wide at turn one, en route to a disappointing 19th, while Lance Stroll ended FP3 at the bottom of the timesheets.
McLaren seem to have the edge going into qualifying ,but with Ferrari and Verstappen looming large in their mirrors, it's anyone's guess as to whom will claim pole position in Baku.
