Norris Dominates Opening Practice in Baku Amid Red Flags

Lando Norris topped the first practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, outperforming championship leader and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by three-tenths of a second. The session, held on the 6km-long Baku City Circuit, was notably interrupted for over 20 minutes due to kerbing issues, creating a stop-start beginning to the race weekend.

Why it matters:

McLaren's strong start, with both Norris and Piastri showing competitive pace, signals their continued momentum from recent races. While it's only practice, Norris's significant margin over his teammate and rivals, coupled with the track's challenging nature, sets an intriguing tone for the weekend, especially with the unexpected red flag highlighting potential circuit vulnerabilities.

The details:

• Early Session Drama: The session began with immediate problems for both McLaren drivers. Oscar Piastri was ordered to return to the garage due to engine issues, while Lando Norris had a pitot tube cover removed.
  • Despite the initial hiccups, Norris quickly set the pace with a 1:43.747, four-tenths ahead of Mercedes' George Russell.
• Red Flag Interruption: Just 13 minutes in, debris at Turn 16, identified as a dislodged piece of rubber from the kerbing, prompted a red flag. This led to a 25-minute delay for repairs, emphasizing the circuit's demanding characteristics.
• Post-Red Flag Resumption: Once the session resumed, Piastri, with his car issues resolved, jumped to ninth with a 1:44.852.
  • Max Verstappen, initially P4, quickly improved to P2, just 0.043s behind Norris's early benchmark.
• Norris Extends Lead: With 12 minutes remaining, Norris fitted fresh soft tires, extending his lead significantly to 1.006s over Verstappen with a 1:42.704. Piastri also improved, moving to P3.
• Incidents and Challenges: Lewis Hamilton clipped the wall at Turn 5, damaging his front wing and puncturing a tire, necessitating repairs. Piastri also had a slight brush with the wall at Turn 15 but continued without significant damage.
• Verstappen's Struggles: Verstappen's subsequent soft tire run was compromised by a lock-up at Turn 15, forcing him to use the escape road. He later complained of severe bottoming out, finishing the session in P7.

The big picture:

Baku's demanding street circuit often produces unpredictable sessions, and this opening practice was no exception. The kerbing issue and subsequent red flag underscore the fine margins teams and drivers operate within. McLaren's immediate pace suggests they are comfortable on this high-speed, low-downforce track, while rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari faced early challenges. The session also saw notable performances from midfield teams, with Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda pushing into the top six, highlighting the competitive nature of the field.

What's next:

Teams will now analyze the data from this interrupted session to prepare for the crucial qualifying sessions and the main race. The reliability concerns, especially regarding track infrastructure, will be a point of discussion. The focus will be on resolving car issues, optimizing setups for the unique Baku layout, and ensuring drivers can push the limits without incidents. All eyes will be on whether McLaren can maintain their advantage or if rivals can close the gap as the weekend progresses.