Hamilton Storms to Baku Practice Dominance as Norris' Crash Derails McLaren's Title Charge
Lewis Hamilton tops Ferrari 1-2 in dramatic Baku practice session as Lando Norris' costly crash exposes McLaren vulnerabilities in championship battle. Analysis of tire strategies and Red Bull's resurgence.
Practice Session Turmoil in Baku
Lewis Hamilton showcased Ferrari's resurgence by clocking the fastest time (1:41.327) during Friday's second practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, edging teammate Charles Leclerc by 0.074 seconds. The session proved disastrous for McLaren, with Lando Norris suffering a suspension-breaking crash at Turn 4 during qualifying simulations.
Key Session Moments:
- Norris' Costly Error: The British driver lost 31 championship points to teammate Oscar Piastri after limping back to pits
- Ferrari's Street Circuit Mastery: Leclerc noted: "McLaren's true pace remains hidden - they're in another world"
- Red Bull's Stealth Mode: Max Verstappen finished 0.6s off pace but warned: "We typically wake up on Saturday"
- Tire Strategy Wildcard: Pirelli's softest compounds creating <2.0s gap between soft/medium tires
Technical Breakdown
| Team | Top Speed Trap | Sector 3 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | 337 km/h | +0.15s on rivals |
| Mercedes | 332 km/h | Stable through castle section |
| McLaren | 329 km/h | Struggling with rear stability |
Hamilton's Revelation:
"Finally solved our braking issues. The changes we made transformed car behavior - this progress shows our development direction works."
Championship Implications
With 8 races remaining, McLaren needs to outscore Ferrari by 9 points to clinch constructors' title. However:
- Piastri completed only 12th fastest after wall contact
- Mercedes' George Russell showed pace (3rd) despite barrier scrape
- Haas rookie Oliver Bearman impressed with 5th fastest time
Saturday Forecast:
- Qualifying duel between Ferrari's straight-line speed vs McLaren's cornering
- Red Bull expected to unlock hidden pace
- Critical tire management decisions for 51-lap race
Session Standouts:
- Hamilton (Ferrari) - 1:41.327
- Leclerc (Ferrari) - +0.074
- Russell (Mercedes) - +0.291
- Antonelli (Mercedes) - +0.403
- Bearman (Haas) - +0.591
What to Read Next
Mercedes' George Russell cements championship credentials with commanding Singapore GP win while revealing mental transformation and contract renewal talks with Mercedes.
Formula 1 announces six sprint races for 2026, featuring Silverstone's return and Singapore's debut. Explore new venues, format debates, and the impact of F1's evolving sprint strategy.
The Monaco Grand Prix extends its Formula 1 contract through 2035, preserving its century-old legacy as motorsport's crown jewel. Prince Albert II and F1 leadership celebrate the iconic street race's enduring significance.
Preview the high-stakes 2025 United States GP in Austin: Championship battle heats up between Piastri and Norris, sprint race format explained, and full BBC coverage details for this pivotal F1 weekend.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton faces a challenging Belgian GP weekend after dual Q1 eliminations. Explore Ferrari's suspension upgrades, McLaren's dominance, and looming rain strategies at Spa-Francorchamps.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton postpones Pirelli's Mugello tyre test to support his critically ill bulldog Roscoe. Updates on the 12-year-old's pneumonia battle and Zhou Guanyu's last-minute replacement role.
McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri analyzes his Azerbaijan GP mistakes while rivals close the gap ahead of F1's demanding Singapore night race. Includes team strategies and title fight implications.
Explore McLaren's unique 'Papaya Rules' governing the intense championship battle between Norris and Piastri, revealing how team ethics clash with competitive fire in Formula 1's most dramatic season.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem abandons 2029 engine overhaul plans after manufacturer resistance, exposing tensions between traditional power units and hybrid technology in Formula 1's future.
Analyzing Ferrari's prolonged absence from F1 championship glory since 2008, exploring team culture, leadership challenges, and the impact of shifting F1 regulations on the Scuderia's performance.
Christian Horner's controversial £52m exit from Red Bull Racing marks a pivotal moment in F1 history. Explore the power struggles, financial implications, and the team's future without the architect of their dominance.
An in-depth analysis of Lewis Hamilton's turbulent Hungarian GP weekend with Ferrari, exploring his self-criticism, team dynamics, and expert insights on his adaptability to modern F1 cars.
F1 President Stefano Domenicali meets UK PM Keir Starmer to highlight the sport’s £12bn economic impact, sustainability goals, and post-Brexit challenges while celebrating Silverstone’s record-breaking Grand Prix.
George Russell claims dramatic Singapore GP win as McLaren's constructor celebration is marred by escalating tensions between Norris and Piastri, with championship implications intensifying.
Cadillac storms into Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026 with veteran drivers Perez and Bottas, Ferrari-powered engines, and a star-studded technical team aiming to challenge the European establishment.
