The Baku FP2 session delivered a mix of speed and drama as Lewis Hamilton led a Ferrari one-two in the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc closely followed, with just seven hundredths separating the two. McLaren struggled, with Lando Norris damaging his car and missing much of the session.
Early Session Dynamics and Top Performers
Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were the first on track, running on Medium tyres. Hülkenberg set an early 1:44.218 before Piastri improved to 1:43.307 on C6 Softs. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen briefly led with 1:43.226 before being overtaken by George Russell and Bortoleto’s 1:42.561.
Ferrari and Mercedes Fight for the Lead
Leclerc set a 1:42.207, then Norris briefly took P1 with a 1:42.199. The Ferrari driver responded with a 1:41.786, only for Hamilton to eclipse both with 1:41.543 on Medium tyres. Teams then prepared for qualifying simulations, highlighting the ongoing strategic focus.
Norris and Piastri Incidents
During the quali simulations, Norris hit the wall at Turn 4, ending his session prematurely. Piastri later touched the Tecpro barrier at Turn 15 but rejoined quickly. These incidents highlighted the challenges McLaren faced on the Baku street circuit.
Late Session Performances
Leclerc regained the top spot with 1:41.367, followed closely by Hamilton, who ultimately posted 1:41.293 on Soft tyres. Mercedes’ Russell and Antonelli completed the top five alongside Haas’ Oliver Bearman, while Verstappen finished sixth, six-tenths behind the leaders.
Power and Lap Performance
Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s lap times underline Ferrari’s current pace advantage, with consistent performance across tire compounds. Mercedes showed competitive speed, while McLaren struggled to translate pace into clean laps. Top drivers like Verstappen and Ocon demonstrated solid consistency, ensuring a competitive grid for qualifying.
FP2 Summary
The second practice in Baku showcased Ferrari’s speed, Hamilton’s consistency, and McLaren’s challenges. Tire management, lap strategy, and handling the street circuit were central themes. The session set the stage for a highly competitive qualifying session, with multiple teams demonstrating strong race potential.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 5 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 7 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 8 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 9 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 10 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 11 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 12 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 13 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 14 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 15 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 16 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 18 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 19 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
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Source: FIA