Lando Norris 'Behind' After Costly Baku Crash

Lando Norris admits he's now playing catch-up in Baku after a "costly" crash during the second practice session, which sidelined him for crucial track time. Despite the setback, Norris emphasized the importance of pushing limits to find performance, acknowledging the incident was "annoying" but a necessary part of the process.

Why it matters:

Losing significant track time in a street circuit like Baku, known for its unique challenges and high-stakes qualifying, puts Norris at a distinct disadvantage. With only one more practice session before qualifying, McLaren needs to quickly gather data and optimize the car to give Norris a fighting chance against strong competitors like Ferrari and Red Bull.

The Details:

• Incident: Midway through FP2, Norris clipped the wall at Turn 4, damaging his left rear suspension. This forced him to crawl back to the pits, where McLaren couldn't repair the car in time for him to rejoin the session.
• Lost Time: The crash meant Norris missed out on crucial high-fuel laps, particularly on the softer compound tires, which are new for this year's Baku race compared to last season.
• Justification: Norris defended his approach, stating he'd "rather have this — push and find the limits, than not push at all." He highlighted the need to push against top competitors.
• Track Differences: Norris noted the Baku circuit is "very different to last year," being "quite a bit quicker" and utilizing a softer tire compound.
• Team Performance: Both Norris and Oscar Piastri seemed to struggle during the session, with Piastri also reportedly facing car issues, indicating a challenging start for McLaren.

What's Next:

Norris will have a single practice session on Saturday morning to make up for lost time and gather critical data before qualifying. He anticipates a tough battle, expecting strong performances from Ferrari and Red Bull, who traditionally improve significantly between Friday and Saturday sessions.

• Championship Battle: With Norris seeking his fifth pole position of the year, a strong qualifying performance is crucial for McLaren to maintain momentum in the Constructors' Championship.
• Competitor Threat: Norris specifically pointed out Ferrari's pace, recalling their strength last year despite Piastri's win, and Red Bull's typical Friday-to-Saturday performance leap. He expects a challenge from "at least three other cars" in qualifying.