Lewis Hamilton topped FP2 at the Azerbaijan GP as Ferrari secured a 1-2, while Lando Norris’ session ended early after hitting the wall in Baku.
The streets of Baku never fail to bring drama, and Free Practice 2 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix proved exactly that. Lewis Hamilton snatched the top spot with Ferrari right on his tail, while McLaren endured a bruising session as Lando Norris’ afternoon ended prematurely with a brush against the wall.
Before diving into the heart of the session, let’s walk through all the key highlights and storylines that shaped FP2.
Hamilton Shines in FP2
Lewis Hamilton looked razor sharp on the streets of Baku, posting a 1m41.293s to end the day on top. It was a session where he combined confidence with precision, finding pace on both medium and soft tyres. The fact that Hamilton’s fastest lap came with more than 10 minutes left showed just how in control Mercedes felt.
Ferrari Locks Out Second and Third
Ferrari continued their tradition of being strong around Baku’s tricky layout. Charles Leclerc, who has taken pole here four times before, ended just 0.074s off Hamilton, proving again why the street circuit seems like his personal playground. Teammate Carlos Sainz wasn’t as high up the order, but Ferrari’s overall pace raised eyebrows across the paddock.
Norris’ Painful Brush with the Wall
Lando Norris’ session ended in frustration. The McLaren star clipped the wall exiting Turn 4, damaging his left-rear suspension. Though he limped back to the pits, the car was too hurt to return to the track. For McLaren, who had shown promise in FP1, it was a reality check.
Piastri’s Close Call at Turn 15
Not long after Norris’ mishap, Oscar Piastri had a scare of his own. The championship leader brushed the Tecpro barrier at Turn 15, forcing his team into quick precautionary checks. While he did rejoin, his pace was underwhelming, finishing 12th overall. To make matters worse, he was placed under investigation for a yellow flag infringement.
Early Adventures in Baku’s Run-Off Areas
The narrow streets and sharp corners of Baku didn’t spare anyone in the opening minutes. Liam Lawson went deep at Turn 15, and Hamilton himself had a moment at Turn 7. These small excursions showed how hard drivers were pushing to find the sweet spot of grip and speed.
Piastri’s First Push Laps After PU Issue
Having lost valuable time in FP1 due to a power unit problem, Piastri wasted no time in FP2. His very first push lap on soft tyres clocked 1m43.307s, briefly putting him on top. But as the track rubbered in, rivals quickly eclipsed his effort.
Lap Times Tumble as Grip Improves
Once the track began to evolve, the times dropped rapidly. Norris’ FP1-leading lap was beaten within 10 minutes. Leclerc was the first to dive under 1m42s, before Hamilton answered back with a 1m41.543s on mediums—a sign of Mercedes’ confidence in both compounds.
The Battle Between Hamilton and Leclerc
The duel between Hamilton and Leclerc became the centerpiece of FP2. First Leclerc grabbed P1 with a 1m41.367s, then Hamilton hit back with his ultimate 1m41.293s lap. It was a classic heavyweight exchange, leaving fans eager for more when qualifying arrives.
Mercedes’ Strong Showing Beyond Hamilton
It wasn’t just Hamilton flying the flag. George Russell secured P4, half a second behind his teammate, while rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed with P5. The consistency across both cars suggested Mercedes have a strong package for the weekend.
Haas Delivering Positive Surprises
Haas enjoyed one of their best Fridays in recent memory. Ollie Bearman stunned the field by sliding into the top six, while Esteban Ocon added more optimism with P8. For a team often battling at the back, this was a refreshing performance.
Red Bull Left Searching for Pace
Max Verstappen could only manage P7, while Yuki Tsunoda struggled in the lower midfield. The Red Bull cars simply didn’t look planted around the Baku streets, raising concerns that they might be on the back foot heading into qualifying.
Williams and Sainz Find Midfield Form
Both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz cracked the top 10, showing encouraging signs for Williams and Ferrari’s second driver. Sainz in particular was looking for a rebound after a tough FP1, and this result gave him momentum.
The Tale of Racing Bulls and Rookie Hadjar
Liam Lawson showed grit after his early mistake, slotting into P7 and keeping the Racing Bulls in the mix. Rookie Isack Hadjar also got valuable mileage, though his times placed him toward the back. Still, experience is the name of the game for him.
Struggles for Aston Martin and Alpine
Both Aston Martin and Alpine endured another tough session. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll couldn’t break into the top 15, while Pierre Gasly languished in the bottom half. Rookie Franco Colapinto had a particularly rough outing, ending up two seconds off the pace.
What FP2 Means Ahead of Qualifying
So what does all this chaos tell us? Mercedes and Ferrari look set for a showdown, while McLaren must regroup after their crashes. Red Bull, surprisingly, are lurking in the shadows, far from their dominant best. Saturday’s qualifying session could be one of the most unpredictable of the season.
Conclusion
FP2 in Baku had everything—wall brushes, surprise pace, and a battle at the top between Hamilton and Leclerc. While Mercedes and Ferrari look poised to fight for pole, McLaren’s woes and Red Bull’s struggles add extra intrigue. If this was just practice, imagine what qualifying has in store.
FAQs
1. Who was fastest in FP2 at the Azerbaijan GP?
Lewis Hamilton topped the session with a 1m41.293s.
2. How did Ferrari perform in FP2?
Ferrari secured a 1-2 finish with Charles Leclerc second and Carlos Sainz also inside the top 10.
3. Why did Lando Norris’ FP2 session end early?
He hit the wall at Turn 4, damaging his left-rear suspension, which forced him out of the session.
4. Was Oscar Piastri involved in any incident?
Yes, Piastri brushed the barrier at Turn 15 and later came under investigation for a yellow flag infringement.
5. How did Red Bull perform in FP2?
Max Verstappen finished seventh, and Yuki Tsunoda was further down the order, showing the team’s struggles for pace.
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