Overview

• Ferrari topped Friday practice with Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP2 in 1:41.293, 0.074s ahead of Charles Leclerc, after McLaren led FP1.
• Lando Norris set the pace in FP3 at 1:41.223 ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, with Hamilton fourth and Leclerc only tenth.
• McLaren’s Friday was messy as Norris crashed in FP2 and Piastri faced an FP1 power‑unit concern and a post‑session yellow‑flag investigation.
• FP1 was briefly red‑flagged for curb damage at Turn 16, underscoring Baku’s high‑risk street layout after multiple brushes with the barriers.
• Leclerc has taken the last four Baku poles without a win, and McLaren can seal the title by outscoring Ferrari by at least nine points or with a 1‑2 or a 1‑3 finish.