Leclerc and Hamilton Top Baku Free Practice Sessions as Ferraris Show Pace
Baku, Azerbaijan – Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes set the fastest times during Friday’s free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, signaling strong potential for both teams ahead of qualifying and the race. Leclerc led the first session, while Hamilton topped the timesheets in FP2.
The day unfolded with mixed fortunes for the frontrunners, particularly McLaren, who faced challenges with both cars. Despite a morning issue with Oscar Piastri’s Power Unit limiting his track time,and a barrier impact for Lando Norris damaging his rear suspension,both drivers remained competitive,finishing 10th and 12th respectively in the second session.
The Baku City Circuit demands precision and strategic setup, requiring drivers to balance cornering speed with maximizing performance on the 2km straight.Conditions were largely dry, though rain is forecast for Saturday, perhaps impacting qualifying scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 PM Italian time. The race is set for Sunday at 1:00 PM Italian time. The unpredictable nature of the Baku track, known for incidents and safety car deployments, could present opportunities for Ferrari to secure their first win of the year.
