Norris Shines in Azerbaijan as Piastri Struggles in Final Practice
Lando Norris made a remarkable recovery in the final practice session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing the top spot with a time of 1:41.223. This follows a challenging second practice where he hit the wall and had to retire early. His McLaren team-mate, Oscar Piastri, who currently leads Norris by 31 points in the championship standings, finished in a distant third, trailing behind Max Verstappen in second.
Norris’s impressive performance around the demanding Baku City Circuit showcased his resilience after the previous day’s mishap. He outpaced his closest competitors by two tenths of a second, demonstrating that he is ready to contend for pole position during qualifying. Piastri faced difficulties during the session, nearly crashing at Turn Four, but managed to recover to secure a third-place finish.
Verstappen, who previously claimed pole and victory at Monza, appears poised to challenge the McLarens once again. His performance in practice suggests a competitive qualifying session ahead, particularly with Lewis Hamilton finishing just behind in fourth place. Hamilton’s consistent speed indicates he remains a formidable contender in this weekend’s race.
The performance of Charles Leclerc, known for his qualifying prowess, was less impressive, as he finished in tenth place in the second McLaren car. With qualifying set to take place at 1:00 PM local time, anticipation builds for a multi-team battle for pole position.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok expressed optimism about the competitive landscape, stating, “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 addition to the top contenders, Kimi Antonelli continued to impress, finishing fifth after recently facing criticism from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. His performance adds to the intrigue as he competes alongside team-mate George Russell, who finished behind him.
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend unfolds, fans can look forward to an exciting and unpredictable qualifying session, followed by the race on Sunday. The atmosphere in Baku promises to deliver high-stakes drama, with several teams vying for supremacy on the circuit.
For those interested in following the action, the full schedule includes the F2 Sprint Race at 11:10 AM and Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 1:00 PM, all available live on Sky Sports F1. The Grand Prix itself will take place on Sunday at 12:00 PM.
