Lando Norris topped FP1 at the Azerbaijan GP, leading Piastri and Leclerc in a red flag-hit session at the Baku City Circuit.
Formula 1 made its roaring return to the streets of Baku, and McLaren wasted no time in stamping authority. Lando Norris, with blistering pace, topped the opening practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in a stop-start session marred by red flags and on-track drama.
Before diving deep into the chaos and brilliance of FP1, let’s break down what unfolded across the 60 minutes.
A lively start to Azerbaijan GP weekend
After a two-week break, the Baku City Circuit came alive once more. The green light at 12:30 local time signaled the beginning of action, with cloudy skies but dry conditions. Drivers wasted no time, rushing onto the narrow streets of Azerbaijan’s capital, eager to collect data and get up to speed on the challenging layout.
McLaren sets the tone early
From the first laps, McLaren showed confidence. Norris quickly climbed to the top of the timing sheets, while Piastri wasn’t far behind. The orange cars looked planted through the tricky castle section, with strong straight-line speed and consistent grip on the soft compound tires.
Strange radio calls for Norris and Piastri
Fans listening in on team radios caught curious messages. Norris was told to pit to “remove something” – later revealed as a component cover that needed fixing. Meanwhile, Piastri was urged to “back off” and “avoid full load” as the engineers carefully managed his power unit. These minor hiccups didn’t derail McLaren’s momentum.
Early track struggles and driver errors
The slippery Baku surface claimed early victims. Kick Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto locked up and went deep at Turn 3, narrowly escaping damage. Williams’ Alex Albon lost a side mirror after brushing the wall, while Mercedes’ George Russell reported smelling “burning” inside his cockpit. The session was already proving tricky.
The red flag disruption at Turn 16
The first red flag of the weekend arrived just 15 minutes into the session. Carlos Sainz’s Williams clipped a kerb at Turn 16, dislodging part of it and leaving marshals no choice but to stop the action. The delay lasted nearly 20 minutes as the track was repaired, leaving teams with limited running time.
Norris delivers blistering pace after restart
When the session resumed, Norris lit up the timing sheets. On fresh softs, he posted a stunning 1m42.704s lap, a full second clear of Verstappen at that stage. This lap not only underlined McLaren’s raw pace but also set the tone for what could be a strong weekend.
Hamilton brushes the wall
Lewis Hamilton’s attempt to push harder didn’t go smoothly. The seven-time World Champion clipped the wall at Turn 5, damaging his front wing. Mercedes quickly called him back to the pits for repairs, cutting short his charge.
Leclerc continues strong Baku form
If there’s one driver who has mastered qualifying in Baku, it’s Charles Leclerc. With four consecutive poles at the venue, he showed his intent again, putting his Ferrari third on the timesheets, half a second behind Norris. The Monegasque remains a serious threat for Saturday’s qualifying.
Russell battles illness but shows speed
Despite feeling unwell, George Russell dug deep to finish fourth. His Mercedes bounced heavily with “a serious amount of bottoming,” but the Briton remained competitive. His resilience adds another layer of intrigue for the Silver Arrows’ weekend.
Red Bull’s mixed fortunes
It wasn’t smooth sailing for Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda put in a respectable effort to finish sixth, while Max Verstappen struggled for rhythm. The four-time Champion abandoned a lap after running out of room at Turn 15, leaving him well off Norris’ benchmark.
Williams surprises with both drivers in top 10
Williams had an unexpectedly strong session, placing both cars in the top 10. Sainz overcame his kerb-induced red flag moment to finish solidly in eighth, while Albon impressed with fifth despite a late brush with the wall.
Lawson and Hadjar gain valuable track time
The Racing Bulls duo, Liam Lawson and rookie Isack Hadjar, maximized the disrupted session. Both stayed clear of major incidents, placing inside the top 10. For Hadjar, the experience of pushing a Formula 1 car through the Baku streets is invaluable.
Midfield shuffle: Aston Martin, Haas, and Sauber
Further back, Aston Martin and Haas found themselves wrestling with balance issues. Alonso edged Bearman, while Stroll and Ocon lagged behind. Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Bortoleto sandwiched Hamilton, showing glimpses of pace but lacking consistency.
Alpine struggles at the back
For Alpine, FP1 was grim. Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly brought up the rear of the field, leaving the team with much to figure out ahead of FP2. The lack of speed raises questions about their setup and development path.
What comes next in FP2
With FP1 done, teams now regroup, analyzing tire wear, balance issues, and the data collected despite limited laps. FP2, scheduled for 16:00 local time, will be critical as it offers more representative running for qualifying and race simulations. Expect more drama, more risk-taking, and perhaps a clearer picture of the weekend’s pecking order.
Conclusion
The Azerbaijan GP weekend kicked off with drama, surprises, and a statement from McLaren. Norris’ commanding lap and Piastri’s close challenge show a team ready to take the fight to Ferrari and Red Bull. With Leclerc lurking and Verstappen searching for rhythm, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend in Baku.
FAQ
1. Who topped FP1 at the Azerbaijan GP?
Lando Norris led the session with a time of 1m42.704s, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
2. Why was FP1 red-flagged?
The session was stopped after Carlos Sainz’s Williams dislodged a kerb at Turn 16, requiring repairs.
3. How did Red Bull perform in FP1?
Red Bull had a mixed session, with Yuki Tsunoda finishing sixth while Max Verstappen struggled and ended outside the top five.
4. Did any drivers hit the wall during FP1?
Yes, Lewis Hamilton clipped the wall at Turn 5, damaging his front wing, while Alex Albon also brushed the barriers late on.
5. When is FP2 scheduled to take place?
FP2 is set to begin at 16:00 local time, offering teams a crucial chance to fine-tune setups and run qualifying simulations.
