Norris's Baku Crash as Ferrari Dominates Friday Practice

Friday practice in Baku saw McLaren's Lando Norris endure a significant wall collision, damaging his car's suspension, while Ferrari emerged as the dominant force, securing a one-two in FP2. The day was marked by incidents, including Norris's impressive recovery drive back to the pits and a red flag for debris in FP1, setting a dramatic stage for the remainder of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.

Why it matters:

This dramatic start to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend underscores the high-stakes challenge of the Baku City Circuit. For McLaren, Norris's crash and Piastri's subsequent scrape highlight potential setup issues or driver overconfidence that could impact their qualifying and race performance. For Ferrari, their strong showing in both sessions, particularly the FP2 one-two, signals their intent to be frontrunners, putting pressure on championship rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes.

The details:

• Norris's FP2 Incident: Lando Norris collided with the wall at Turn 4 during FP2, breaking his McLaren's suspension. Despite the significant damage, he skillfully managed to bring the car back to the pits, avoiding a red flag and maintaining session flow.
  • At the time of his crash, Norris was running third, closely behind the two Ferraris.
• Piastri's Contact: Teammate Oscar Piastri also clipped the wall at Turn 15 shortly after Norris's incident but was able to continue without major damage.
• FP1 Highlights: Norris topped FP1 by three-tenths of a second, ahead of Piastri and Charles Leclerc, showcasing McLaren's early pace.
  • Piastri's FP1 was cut short by a power unit issue. Carlos Sainz caused a red flag after running over a kerb at Turns 16 and 17, scattering debris.
• FP2 Dominance: Lewis Hamilton led a Ferrari one-two in FP2 with a fastest lap of 1:41.293, followed by Charles Leclerc. George Russell completed the top three, while Max Verstappen was sixth, six-tenths off Hamilton's pace.

The big picture:

The Baku City Circuit is notorious for its unforgiving nature, and Friday's incidents serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1. McLaren's impressive pace in FP1, followed by their drivers' brushes with the barriers, suggests they are pushing the limits, which could either lead to triumph or further setbacks. Ferrari's consistent performance across both sessions positions them as strong contenders, while Red Bull and Mercedes appear to have work to do to close the gap. The track's unique demands, combining long straights with tight corners, mean that both power and precise car handling are critical for success.

What's next:

Teams will now pour over telemetry data to fine-tune their setups for qualifying. McLaren faces a race against time to repair Norris's car and analyze the reasons behind both drivers' incidents to prevent further issues. Ferrari will aim to maintain their momentum and translate their practice pace into strong qualifying positions. The stage is set for a thrilling qualifying session that will significantly influence Sunday's race, where strategy and avoiding contact with the unforgiving walls will be paramount.