F1 Azerbaijan GP: Norris Crashes, Hamilton Ahead of Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton led Charles Leclerc to a Ferrari one-two after Lando Norris crashed during Friday practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris broke his left rear suspension at Turn Four, preventing him from completing his qualifying simulation run. As a result, Norris finished 10th in the classification and missed the opportunity for high-fuel laps to understand his car's race trim.
McLaren, aiming to secure the constructors' title if they outscore Ferrari by nine points, faced challenges during the session. Oscar Piastri, Norris's teammate, had his own brush with the wall but managed to finish 12th without damaging his car. Leclerc acknowledged McLaren's potential, hinting at a strong performance from the team despite the session's circumstances.
Piastri's pace during race-simulation runs indicated McLaren's competitiveness, with the team potentially being in a favorable position. Norris and Piastri faced difficulties adapting to the track's changes and the softer compound tires used this weekend. Both drivers expressed the need to improve their performance for the upcoming race day.
Hamilton, benefiting from a slipstream from Leclerc, narrowly beat his teammate during qualifying. He mentioned progress in understanding the Ferrari's braking characteristics, which had been a challenge for him throughout the season. Leclerc, known for his excellence on street circuits, remained cautious about his chances of securing pole position but kept his hopes high for the race.
Other drivers, including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, showed promising performances during practice. Max Verstappen, the winner of the previous race in Italy, expressed optimism despite being slightly off the pace. He highlighted the importance of finding a stable balance on the challenging Baku circuit and acknowledged the competitiveness of Ferrari and other teams.
Despite various incidents during practice, including Russell's near-miss with the wall, drivers remained focused on optimizing their performance for the race. The session provided valuable insights for teams to make necessary adjustments and strategic decisions for the upcoming Grand Prix in Baku.