Lewis Hamilton showcased his speed during the second practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, leading a strong performance by Ferrari. The session was marred for McLaren as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri encountered significant issues, crashing into barriers on the challenging Baku street circuit.
In a dramatic turn of events, Hamilton clocked a best lap of 1:41.293, placing him 0.074 seconds ahead of his Ferrari teammate. The session saw Hamilton’s confidence shine through, marking a notable improvement in his performance since the summer break. Meanwhile, McLaren faced unexpected challenges just as they aimed to secure the 2025 Constructors’ Championship this weekend.
Norris, who had topped the morning session, faced disaster only 30 minutes into the afternoon practice. He damaged the left-rear of his car after hitting the wall while exiting Turn Four. After returning to the pits, his team conducted inspections, and he remained sidelined for the rest of the session, missing critical long runs.
Shortly thereafter, teammate Piastri experienced his own setback, colliding with the tyre barrier at Turn 15. Although he managed to continue, he finished the session in 12th place, unable to complete a representative run on soft tyres before shifting focus to heavier-fuel race simulations.
With the McLarens out of contention in the practice standings, Ferrari capitalized on the situation. Charles Leclerc, who has a strong record at Baku with four consecutive pole positions, remained a strong contender. This time, however, it was Hamilton who emerged as the faster Ferrari driver, leading the charge for the team.
Mercedes finished the session in a solid position, with George Russell clocking in just behind the Ferrari duo. Russell placed third, while Kimi Antonelli followed closely in fourth. A surprise came from Haas’s Oliver Bearman, who achieved a remarkable fifth-fastest time, outpacing reigning champion Max Verstappen, who finished sixth but was six-tenths of a second slower than the Ferraris.
Hamilton’s performance reflects a growing confidence in the Ferrari SF-25 car, a sentiment he expressed during the weekend. He noted that he and the team had “found a couple of things” that improved their setup. According to Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson, Hamilton’s newfound confidence is evident on the track, especially given the technical challenges posed by the Baku circuit.
Davidson commented, “Lewis definitely looks more confident than we have seen all season. He has been working on the braking side, particularly the rear end, which he found tricky to manage. If there’s ever a circuit where you need that confidence in braking, it’s here in Baku.”
Another Sky Sports F1 pundit, Jamie Chadwick, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Hamilton’s momentum from recent races. “It sounds like they have tried something on his car, maybe something unconventional, and it’s worked. He’s expressing satisfaction with his performance on both soft and medium tyres.”
As the teams prepare for the next stages of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, the focus will be on whether McLaren can recover from their setbacks and if Hamilton can maintain his pace. The final practice session is scheduled for September 21, 2025, at 09:30, followed by qualifying later that day.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with Hamilton looking to capitalize on his practice form and McLaren eager to bounce back from their challenges.
