Lando Norris showcased resilience by dominating the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a challenging day on Friday. Norris, who suffered a costly collision with the wall during the second practice, returned to form with a best lap of 1:41.223, outpacing his nearest competitors by two tenths of a second. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, currently leading the championship by 31 points, finished in third place behind Max Verstappen, who continues to be a formidable contender.
Norris’s earlier misstep in the second practice session saw him miss critical track time, as he damaged his car. Despite the setback, he quickly found his rhythm on the demanding Baku City Circuit, demonstrating impressive pace. Verstappen, who won the previous race at Monza, is expected to challenge the McLaren drivers again, particularly after finishing second in this session.
Piastri’s performance was less consistent, as he encountered difficulties that nearly led to another crash at Turn Four. Ultimately, he managed to recover and secure third place. Lewis Hamilton, who set the fastest time during the earlier practice, finished closely behind in fourth, suggesting a competitive edge for the Mercedes team.
Qualifying Promises Intensity
As the teams prepare for qualifying, which is scheduled for 1 PM local time, the stage is set for an exhilarating contest for pole position. Karun Chandhok from Sky Sports F1 remarked, “I’m encouraged by the fact that I think we are going to see the Red Bulls and the Ferraris challenging the McLarens in qualifying.”
In a noteworthy development, Kimi Antonelli, who has faced scrutiny from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently, finished fifth, ahead of teammate George Russell. Antonelli’s strong showing adds pressure as the teams gear up for the race weekend.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix unfolds, fans can expect a thrilling battle among the top teams. Qualifying and the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
This weekend’s schedule includes a range of events, starting with the F2 Sprint Race at 11:10 AM on Saturday, followed by the Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up before the main event at 12 PM on Sunday. Fans are gearing up for an exciting race, with several teams in contention for a strong finish as the championship race heats up.
