Norris Tops Baku Practice As Piastri Follows Close Behind

Norris Starts Strong in Baku

McLaren had the ideal beginning to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, as Lando Norris led the timesheets in the first practice. His teammate Oscar Piastri was right behind him in second place, which proved that McLaren is steadily gaining momentum in the 2025 season.

Norris appeared self-confident in the streets of Baku. The low-downforce setup was performing well, as indicated by his pace. Norris looked in control, with Baku being a narrowly laid city that requires precision.

Piastri Maintains the Pressure.

Norris was grabbing the headlines, but Piastri was right behind him. The young Australian showed a good pace during the session and was only behind his teammate by less than two tenths of a second. That narrow divide underscored the close struggle at McLaren.

The consistency of Piastri has been increasing with every race. He picks up easily on other tunes, and Baku fitted his quick-cutting driving style. His performance demonstrates that now McLaren has two drivers who can push to the podium.

McLaren’s Rising Momentum

In recent seasons, McLaren has strived to recover. The car had glimpses of brilliance earlier this year, yet inconsistency was its primary problem. Both drivers appeared competitive at the beginning at Baku.

This good performance is a continuation of earlier races. Norris and Piastri appear to be at ease taking the car to the edge. The updates that have been introduced in the recent weeks have opened a new potential to engineers.

Ferrari Chases and Yet Remains Near.

Ferrari showed good speed in practice, and Charles Leclerc was third. He turned easily through the narrow streets of Baku and was quick on the long roads. Carlos Sainz was in fifth place, right behind the leaders.

Ferrari is yet to answer the tire management questions on longer runs. However, their pace in one lap is impressive. They might also bring another challenge in qualification in case the trend persists.

Red Bull Faces Tough Start

Red Bull was the greatest surprise, and Max Verstappen could only finish in seventh place. His colleague Sergio Perez did a little better but still failed to make the top three.

The RB21 appeared not to be as comfortable on the Baku-exclusive circuit. The engineers were faced with a dilemma on how to balance straight-line speed and corner stability. This was an eyebrow-raiser because Red Bull does not tend to get off slowly. To remain in the fight, the team should be able to react swiftly.

Mercedes Still Searching for Answers.

Mercedes once more could not demonstrate front-running speed. Lewis Hamilton came in at number 9 with George Russell right behind him. The vehicle appeared to be disturbed by narrow passages, and motorists reported a loss of traction at the back.

Mercedes is also developing new upgrade packages, although the advancement is not steady. According to team principal Toto Wolff, Baku is a big challenge. The experience proved that Mercedes has to dig deep to bridge the gap.

The Session Is Shaped by Track Conditions.

The Baku City Circuit offered its typical combination of difficulties. The long main straight is rewarding to the highest possible speed, and the castle part is punishing for even minor errors. Some of the drivers bumped walls during practice but did not suffer serious consequences.

Grip was also influenced by wind. When the gusts hit along the straights, cars had difficulties in keeping their balance. Such variables contributed to the fact that the top time of Norris was even greater. He seemed not to be bothered by the evolving circumstances.

Strategic Questions Ahead

The teams are now confronted with difficult decisions as they head to qualifying. The wear and tear of tires will be significant throughout the weekend. Controlling tire wear by the winding middle section is still important.

The balance between corner grip and straight-line speed of the McLaren appeared good. Ferrari needs to demonstrate long-run consistency. Red Bull will seek setup solutions. The result of Sunday can be determined by every minor choice.

Baku Builds Excitement with the Fans.

The people of Azerbaijan received Formula 1 back with excitement. Norris’s practice brought an additional excitement, and many consider him one of the most charismatic drivers in the grid.

The emergence of Piastri is also not without notice. His nonchalant attitude and swift expansion have made him admired all over the world. The presence of the duo of McLaren leaders makes the weekend come up with new storylines.

The Implication of This on the Championship.

The title picture is intriguing with the performance of Norris. Verstappen continues to dominate the championship, but competitors are narrowing down the differences. A good McLaren weekend may change the tide even more.

In case both McLaren drivers win over Red Bull in Baku, the battle for the championship becomes more tense. The presence of Ferrari also makes the battle unpredictable. Qualifying and the race will provide high drama to the fans.

Conclusion: McLaren Sends a Strong Message.

The message of Lando Norris topping Baku practice was strong. McLaren is well prepared to compete on all levels this weekend, and Piastri is right behind. The squad is now in a position to have two drivers who can fight at the front.

Ferrari is clean and needs to demonstrate consistency. Red Bull is not struggling with many problems, and Mercedes is still seeking form. These dynamics precondition a heated qualifying session.

As the weekend progresses, the fans will be observing whether McLaren can turn initial hype into long-term success. Baku has already provided some surprises, and it can do it again. At least Norris and Piastri are tall, leading the pack in style.