Lando Norris set the fastest time during a turbulent first practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, encountered an early power unit scare. Norris, who is currently in second place in the Drivers’ Championship, trails Piastri by 31 points with only eight race weekends remaining in the season.
The session was disrupted for 25 minutes due to a kerb issue at Turn 16, which prompted a red flag. This stoppage allowed McLaren to address Piastri’s early power unit problem, ensuring he lost minimal track time compared to his competitors. Given the narrow confines of the Baku circuit, where confidence is crucial due to the close proximity of barriers, this was a significant advantage for the championship leader.
McLaren’s performance appeared dominant, as Norris completed the session with a time 0.310 seconds faster than Piastri and more than half a second ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished third. Leclerc, who has claimed the last five pole positions at Baku, faces a challenging task in replicating his past successes, especially with McLaren showing such strong form.
Norris consistently exhibited speed throughout the session, while his teammate Piastri worked to regain momentum after his initial scare. In contrast, the session was less favorable for Lewis Hamilton, who clipped the inside wall at Turn 5. This incident resulted in a puncture and front wing damage, leaving him to finish the first practice in 13th place.
Mercedes’ George Russell, battling illness, managed to secure fourth place, while Williams’ Alex Albon performed well to finish fifth. Yuki Tsunoda took sixth, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who completed the session in seventh.
As the weekend unfolds, McLaren has the opportunity to clinch the Constructors’ Championship. The team is in a strong position, with Norris and Piastri both showcasing their capabilities on a track that has proven challenging for many.
The full schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend includes additional practice sessions, qualifying, and the main race, all of which promise to further highlight the competitive dynamics among the teams.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the next sessions, and with McLaren’s current form, a thrilling contest for the championship is on the horizon.
