The vibrant city of Baku delivered its usual unpredictability during Friday’s Free Practice 2 session ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. As teams fine-tuned their machines for both qualifying and the demanding 51-lap race, Lewis Hamilton surged to the top of the timesheets, with the Ferrari duo breathing down his neck. The ever-changing street circuit of Baku, famous for its tight corners and blistering speeds along the Caspian shoreline, once again threatened to shake up the established order of Formula 1.
Hamilton, demonstrating a rare blend of experience and aggression, tamed the challenging circuit with an impressive performance. The seven-time world champion showcased why he remains a formidable force, even as the grid grows ever more competitive. He set a blistering lap that edged out both Ferrari drivers—Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz—who had looked strong throughout the earlier session. Mercedes, who have at times struggled to find balance on street circuits this season, appeared to have discovered a sweet spot in their setup, allowing Hamilton to extract maximum performance from his W15.
Meanwhile, Ferrari fans had reasons for cautious optimism. Leclerc in particular looked comfortable behind the wheel, navigating the circuit with the kind of poise that brought him pole position here in recent years. Sainz was not far behind, signaling a potential two-pronged challenge to Red Bull’s dominance. The Scuderia will be encouraged by their drivers’ consistent pace, yet remain wary of Hamilton’s rising momentum in the city where chaos often reigns.
Further back, the drama unfolded not just in the timesheets but in the unforgiving walls of Baku. Lando Norris, eager to build on McLaren’s recent upturn in form, clipped the barriers in Turn 15—a notorious spot that has caught out drivers in previous years. Fortunately, Norris was able to limp back to the pits, allowing the team to assess and minimize the damage. His mishap underscored the razor-thin margins in street circuit racing, where even the smallest misjudgment can spell disaster for a weekend’s prospects.
Red Bull, the team that has dominated the past races, found themselves slightly off the pace in FP2. Max Verstappen struggled to maximize their package amid windy conditions and heavy traffic, ending the session just outside the top three. Sergio Perez, traditionally strong around Baku, kept within touching distance, hinting that the Azerbaijani magic might not be out of reach yet for the defending world champions. With both drivers and engineers pouring over telemetry deep into the evening, fans can expect Red Bull to turn up the intensity come qualifying.
Elsewhere, Aston Martin and Alpine continued their midfield tussle, with Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly exchanging competitive times. Baku’s combination of long straights and tight corners means teams constantly face trade-offs between downforce and top speed. The ever-changing grip levels only added to the complexity, pushing drivers to be bold but controlled. As a result, fans witnessed a session peppered with spectacular saves, minor lockups, and breath-holding near-misses.
As the city lights illuminated the skyline, the sense of anticipation grew. The unique layout of the Baku City Circuit always serves up surprises, and with the pack appearing closer than ever, Saturday’s qualifying promises high drama. With Hamilton resurgent, Ferrari pushing hard, and Red Bull lurking, it’s impossible to predict who will snatch pole position—or who might fall foul of the circuit’s narrow margins. One thing is certain: Baku never disappoints, and Formula 1 fans are in for a thrilling weekend of racing action on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
