Lando Norris Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 practice session offered a strong recovery story. After a difficult Friday that saw him brush the barriers, the McLaren driver bounced back to top the timing sheets in Baku.
Norris sets the benchmark in Baku
Norris clocked a 1:41.223, putting him two tenths clear of Max Verstappen and just ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. It was a lap built on consistency through the first two sectors, even without the slipstream advantage that helped others gain time.
Early struggles and windy conditions
The session began with little movement on track, before Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar ventured out. Both highlighted strong winds as a key challenge, with Haas rookie Oliver Bearman also reporting the conditions as difficult. Bearman set the first timed lap, but the pace quickly improved once more drivers joined the session.
Changing order through the session
Charles Leclerc briefly held the top spot, targeting another strong run in Baku. Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri then took turns at the top of the board. Verstappen also produced a strong lap with a tow from Fernando Alonso, showing Red Bull’s pace on the long straights.
Norris responds to rivals
Norris returned to the track in the final part of the session and strung together a clean lap. Without a slipstream, he managed to go half a second faster than Verstappen. Piastri slotted into second, only for Verstappen to respond again, trimming the gap but still finishing just behind Norris.
Key results from final practice
The top three ended with Norris first, Verstappen second, and Piastri third. Hamilton followed in fourth, while Mercedes filled fifth and sixth with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Williams showed promising pace with Alex Albon in seventh, while Haas rookie Bearman secured eighth. Lawson and Leclerc rounded out the top ten.
Performance highlights
Norris’ lap of 1:41.223 translates to an average speed of 213.496 km/h, demonstrating McLaren’s strong one-lap form in Baku. Verstappen’s 1:41.445 and Piastri’s 1:41.477 kept the margin tight, suggesting qualifying will be closely contested. The windy conditions added unpredictability, with drivers reporting “sketchy” grip through the lap.
Summary
Final practice in Baku showed how quickly fortunes can shift in Formula 1. Norris’ recovery run set the tone heading into qualifying, while Verstappen, Piastri, and Hamilton all remain within striking distance. The stage is set for a tense battle at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 8 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 9 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 10 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 13 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 15 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 16 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 19 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 20 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
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Source: FIA