Disputes over selected title nominees:
In the heart of Baku, the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan is underway, and the race is proving to be a rollercoaster for McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The duo, who have been making waves this season, are currently experiencing issues in the race. After just seven laps, Piastri's participation came to an end, leaving Norris to carry the torch for the team. Unfortunately, Norris also faced trouble when he damaged his car on the fast and narrow track.
The issues faced by the McLaren drivers have opened up an opportunity for another driver to potentially secure an early triumph in the constructors' championship. With McLaren's struggles, other teams are capitalising on the chance to close the gap.
Meanwhile, at the top of the standings, Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the second free practice session, narrowly beating his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton's time was a lap of 1:41.293, a performance that showcases the fierce competition in the 2025 Formula One season.
Leclerc finished the second free practice session in second place, just 74 thousandths of a second behind Hamilton. The fast time set by Piastri in the first free practice session suggests a promising start for McLaren, had his race not been cut short.
Elsewhere in the field, Norris managed to drag his damaged car back to the McLaren box, a testament to his resilience. The only German driver in the 20-strong driver field, Nico Hülkenberg, finished the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan in 18th place.
In the championship standings, Max Verstappen is third, with a gap of 94 points. Despite facing challenges in Baku, Verstappen managed to finish the race in sixth place. The race continues, and the battle for the constructors' championship is far from over.
