Norris Crashes, Piastri Under Investigation in Ferrari-Dominated Baku Practice

Lando Norris, a Formula 1 title contender, encountered a significant setback during the second practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, crashing his McLaren and damaging its suspension. Meanwhile, his teammate Oscar Piastri faces a potential investigation for a yellow-flag infringement, adding to McLaren's challenging session, which saw both drivers struggle with the car's handling.

Why it matters:

This challenging Friday session for McLaren could have significant implications for their championship aspirations, especially as key rivals like Ferrari showed strong pace. Norris's crash and Piastri's investigation highlight potential vulnerabilities for the team on a demanding street circuit where precision is paramount. The incident also puts a spotlight on driver composure under pressure in a tight title race.

The Details:

• Norris's Crash: Norris, who was third-fastest midway through the session, hit the outside wall at Turn 4. While he initially reported a puncture, the damage was far more severe, resulting in a broken suspension that forced him to limp back to the pits. He completed only seven laps and could not return to the session, finishing 10th.
• Piastri's Woes: Piastri struggled to string together a clean lap and had a substantial brush with the wall exiting Turn 15. More critically, he is under investigation for a potential yellow-flag infringement, though the specifics are currently unclear. He finished 12th, behind Norris.
• Ferrari's Dominance: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc topped the session, demonstrating strong pace. Hamilton initially set his fastest time on the C5 medium tires, considered a viable alternative to the fragile C6 softs for qualifying. He later improved on softs, securing the top spot with a 1m41.293s, just 0.074s ahead of Leclerc.
  • The Ferraris held a substantial lead, over four tenths clear of the nearest competitor.
• Mercedes' Performance: George Russell placed third, 0.477s behind Hamilton, despite having to abandon a personal best lap after a significant slide through Turn 12. His teammate Kimi Antonelli was close behind in fourth.
• Surprise Pace: Ollie Bearman of Haas impressed, finishing fifth on medium tires, six tenths off the pace. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls also featured in the top ten (seventh), setting his best time on mediums.
• Red Bull's Efforts: Max Verstappen led Red Bull's charge, finishing sixth, between Bearman and Lawson.
• Circuit Challenges: The Baku circuit proved challenging for many, with numerous drivers taking to run-offs and making contact with barriers, though only Norris sustained session-ending damage.

What's next:

McLaren faces a critical evening assessing the damage to Norris's car and preparing for Piastri's investigation, which could result in a grid penalty. Resolving these issues quickly will be crucial for their qualifying performance. Meanwhile, Ferrari will aim to carry their dominant practice form into Saturday, while Mercedes and Red Bull will be looking to close the gap and challenge for pole position on a circuit known for its unpredictability. The C5 medium tire's potential as a qualifying option could also add an interesting strategic element to Saturday's sessions.

FP2 Result Highlights:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1m41.293s
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.074s
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.477s
4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.486s
5. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +0.598s
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.609s