Ferrari dominates practice sessions in Baku with a 1-2 finish, leaving McLaren grappling with difficulties
In the bustling city of Baku, the excitement is palpable as the Formula 1 community gathers for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The spotlight is on Lewis Hamilton, who is bidding to make history by becoming the first driver to score 5,000 points in the sport's history.
Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, is aiming for his 106th win, a record-increasing victory that would also mark his first since the Belgian Grand Prix last year. However, his path to victory isn't without challenges, as he encountered problems with his brakes during the morning session, but his team managed to rectify the issue for the second session.
Meanwhile, McLaren had a mixed day. Lando Norris started the day on a high note, clocking the best time in the morning session as McLaren posted an impressive 1-2. However, the team faced some setbacks in the afternoon. Norris crashed in the second session, damaging his car's suspension and left rear wheel, while teammate Oscar Piastri brushed the wall at Turn 15 and caused a scare at Turn Two.
Piastri, who is aiming to become Australia's third Formula 1 champion and the first since Alan Jones in 1980, expressed some positives from the practice sessions despite the tricky moments. He mentioned that he is pushing hard in his long run laps, indicating his determination. However, he also acknowledged that the Baku track is unforgiving of any indiscretions.
McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, has had a challenging day after the practice sessions for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. Piastri believes the pace is there for McLaren, but finding the optimal performance is proving to be a challenge.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had a less than ideal performance during the practice sessions, finishing behind Hamilton by a slim margin of 0.074 seconds. Leclerc acknowledged McLaren's strong performance and expressed doubt about competing with them in the race.
As the sun sets over Baku, Hamilton remains optimistic about the progress his team has been making. He stated that this was 'just a practice day' and that the real battle lies ahead. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race.
