LIVE: F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 - Baku Free Practice 2 Updates

McLaren emerged from the first free practice session as the team to watch, with Lando Norris setting the fastest time ahead of Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, the session was not without its challenges for the Woking-based squad, as Piastri encountered a power unit issue that necessitated quick repairs.

Why it matters:

McLaren's strong start, despite Piastri's technical setback, signals their potential competitiveness at Baku. The unpredictable nature of the street circuit, highlighted by early incidents and a red flag in FP1, sets the stage for a thrilling weekend where reliability and precision will be paramount.

The details:

• McLaren's Performance: Lando Norris topped the FP1 timesheets, showcasing McLaren's pace, while Oscar Piastri secured second, completing a strong initial showing for the team.
  • Reliability Concern: Piastri's session was interrupted by a power unit problem, requiring immediate attention from the team.
• Baku's Characteristics: The Baku City Circuit lived up to its reputation for drama, featuring a red flag due to a track issue and multiple drivers brushing the walls.
• Ferrari's Pace: Charles Leclerc, a four-time consecutive pole-sitter at this event, demonstrated competitive speed in FP1, providing an encouraging start for Ferrari.
• Red Bull's Challenge: Max Verstappen, the most recent F1 race winner, finished FP1 in seventh position, surprisingly behind Yuki Tsunoda, indicating that Red Bull might have work to do to find their optimal setup.

What's next:

With the second free practice session underway, all eyes will be on whether McLaren can maintain their early momentum and if Red Bull and Ferrari can close the gap. The teams will be focusing on long-run pace and fine-tuning their setups for qualifying and the race, against the ever-present threat of incidents on the challenging Baku street circuit.