Lando Norris tops FP3 in Baku ahead of Azerbaijan GP Qualifying

Lando Norris set the pace in the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, clocking a 1:41.223 to edge out Max Verstappen by 0.222s and Oscar Piastri by 0.254s. The hour was a tense, stop-start affair, with gusty winds, traffic, and yellow flags all playing a role in shaping the competitive order ahead of qualifying.

Norris Leads a Four-Team Fight

After a disrupted Friday, McLaren bounced back strongly. Norris, who lost significant running in FP2 due to wall contact, looked confident and aggressive, setting purple sectors in the first two splits on his fastest lap despite running without a tow. Piastri, often a slow starter to weekends, also showed strong pace, though his best time came with the benefit of a slipstream.

Verstappen, meanwhile, appeared rejuvenated after a quiet Friday. The Red Bull driver was within striking distance despite not using fresh tyres for his initial benchmark and later improving to P2. His long-run pace and sector two speed suggest he will be a major threat in qualifying.

Ferrari and Mercedes also remain firmly in the mix. Lewis Hamilton was just 0.276s off the top in P4, with rookie Kimi Antonelli impressing again in fifth. George Russell slotted into sixth, underlining Mercedes’ one-lap potential.

Midfield Movers: Williams, Haas, and Racing Bulls Impress

Alexander Albon continued his strong Baku form, finishing seventh and again outpacing Carlos Sainz’s Williams. Haas also looked competitive, with Oliver Bearman in eighth after a solid Friday showing. The team’s low-downforce package appears to be working well here.

Liam Lawson led the Racing Bulls charge in ninth, ahead of Charles Leclerc, who had a scrappy session that included a wall kiss and a deleted lap for track limits. Isack Hadjar was just behind in P11, while Nico Hülkenberg and Sainz followed.

Struggles for Tsunoda and Alpine

Yuki Tsunoda, who was close to Verstappen in FP1, slipped to 16th, 1.617s off the pace. Alpine’s day was also difficult: Pierre Gasly clipped the wall and reported thumb pain, while Franco Colapinto was investigated for a yellow flag infringement but escaped without penalty. Both Alpines languished outside the top 10.

Key Moments and Incidents

• Wind and Traffic: Several drivers complained about gusts affecting braking points, while the long straights and slipstream effect made traffic management critical.
• Wall Brushes: Leclerc and Gasly both made light contact with the barriers, escaping without major damage.
• Yellow Flags: Brief stoppages came from Bortoleto’s off at Turn 3 and other minor incidents, disrupting flying laps.
• Tyre Strategy: Teams juggled the C4, C5, and C6 compounds, with some hinting the medium could be a viable qualifying tyre.

Final FP3 Classification (Top 10)

1. Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:41.223
2. Max Verstappen – Red Bull – +0.222
3. Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.254
4. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +0.276
5. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.653
6. George Russell – Mercedes – +0.741
7. Alexander Albon – Williams – +0.760
8. Oliver Bearman – Haas – +0.762
9. Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – +0.923
10. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.986

Analysis: A Qualifying Shootout Awaits

With McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes all within a few tenths, qualifying is set to be a thriller. The tow effect down Baku’s mammoth main straight could decide pole, but so too will timing runs to avoid traffic and catching the right wind conditions. Norris has momentum, Verstappen has the pedigree, and Ferrari’s past Baku form means Leclerc can’t be discounted despite his FP3 hiccups.

The midfield battle for Q3 will be equally fierce, with Williams, Haas, and Racing Bulls all showing genuine pace. For Tsunoda, Gasly, and Stroll, there’s work to do to avoid an early qualifying exit.