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McLaren's Lando Norris Sets Pace in Final Practice for Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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McLaren's Lando Norris claimed the top spot in the ultimate practice session leading up to the qualifying rounds for Formula 1's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, navigating the challenging and blustery conditions of the Baku street circuit.

The session commenced with a cautious approach from drivers due to the low-grip surface and strong crosswinds originating from the Caspian Sea, which added to the complexity of the 6-kilometer track known for its low downforce requirements. Early on, Oliver Bearman of Haas set a provisional benchmark on hard tires, posting a lap time of 1 minute and 44 seconds. This was swiftly surpassed by Norris, who clocked a 1 minute 43.640 seconds on soft tires, though still significantly slower than Friday's fastest laps.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, aiming to best Norris's time, encountered an issue in the final turn, forcing him to abandon his lap. Subsequently, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari briefly took the lead with a time of 1 minute and 42.988 seconds after an impressive recovery from a 180-degree spin in Turn 15. However, Leclerc soon reclaimed the top position, with Oscar Piastri and both Williams cars also demonstrating competitive pace mid-session.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen then ascended to the top with a 1 minute 41.727 seconds during a prolonged stint on soft tires, despite being four-tenths slower than Hamilton's Friday benchmark. As the session neared its conclusion, and with the wind intensifying, a flurry of qualifying simulation runs began. Norris once again showcased his prowess, delivering the fastest lap of the weekend at 1 minute and 41.223 seconds on soft tires. Verstappen, pushing hard, narrowly avoided contact with the wall, finishing two-tenths behind Norris.

Oscar Piastri, currently leading the championship, experienced a tumultuous end to the practice, spinning out in Turn 4 and then again in Turn 1. Despite these incidents, he managed to secure third place, trailing Norris by three-tenths. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes had a commendable session, finishing fifth, closely followed by Alex Albon in the Williams. Oliver Bearman continued his strong weekend performance, securing seventh, while George Russell of Mercedes, despite setup challenges, finished eighth. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls, after a 360-degree spin, managed to secure a spot in the top 10, finishing ninth. Leclerc, despite his previous successes in Baku, struggled to find a clean lap, settling for tenth. The qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for 4:00 PM local Azeri time (GMT+4).

In summary, the final practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix proved to be a challenging yet exciting precursor to qualifying. Lando Norris emerged as the fastest driver, demonstrating his skill in adverse windy conditions. The dynamic nature of the Baku street circuit, coupled with unpredictable gusts, led to numerous challenges for the drivers, setting the stage for a dramatic qualifying session.

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Norris Tops Windy FP3 at Azerbaijan GP

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In a thrilling precursor to qualifying, Lando Norris demonstrated exceptional skill by leading the final practice session of the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The notoriously challenging Baku street circuit, made even more difficult by persistent crosswinds, saw drivers grappling with tricky conditions, leading to numerous errors and unexpected outcomes. This session underscores the inherent unpredictability of the Baku circuit and hints at an exciting qualifying and race ahead.

Baku Gears Up for Qualifying After Challenging FP3

The final practice session for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Baku, witnessed McLaren's Lando Norris claiming the top spot. The 6-kilometer street circuit proved particularly challenging due to strong gusts of wind originating from the Caspian Sea, affecting car stability and grip levels. Early in the session, Oliver Bearman of Haas initially set the pace on hard tires. However, as the session progressed, Norris, utilizing soft tires, recorded a lap time of 1m43.640s, significantly improving the benchmark. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc attempted to surpass this time but ran off track in the final corner. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, briefly took the lead with a 1m42.988s after recovering from a wide entry into Turn 15. The session saw dynamic shifts in the top positions, with Oscar Piastri and both Williams drivers also showing competitive speed.

Max Verstappen, despite running longer stints on soft tires, managed to improve his time to 1m41.727s, though still trailing Hamilton's previous best from FP2. The latter part of the session, dedicated to qualifying simulations on fresh tires, saw Norris elevate his performance, clocking the quickest time of the weekend with a 1m41.223s. Verstappen narrowly missed out on the top spot by two-tenths of a second after a close encounter with the wall. Oscar Piastri faced a challenging end to his session, spinning out in Turn 4 and then again at Turn 1, but eventually secured third place, just three-tenths behind Norris and Verstappen. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes had a strong showing, finishing fifth, while Alex Albon demonstrated competitive pace for Williams. George Russell, in the second Mercedes, struggled with setup changes, placing eighth. Liam Lawson recovered from a 360-degree spin to secure a top-10 position. Notably, Charles Leclerc, despite his historical success at Baku, finished tenth, unable to piece together a clean qualifying simulation lap. The stage is now set for the qualifying session, scheduled for 16:00 local time, promising intense competition.

The dynamic and unpredictable nature of the Baku City Circuit, particularly exacerbated by the recent windy conditions, highlights the critical role of driver adaptability and strategic precision in Formula 1. This session serves as a stark reminder that raw pace alone is insufficient; the ability to adjust to ever-changing environmental factors and execute flawless laps under pressure is paramount. For fans, this unpredictability translates into compelling viewing, transforming each session into a high-stakes chess match played at breakneck speeds.

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Isack Hadjar's F1 Future: Red Bull's 2026 Prospect?

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Red Bull's junior driver Isack Hadjar is emerging as a top contender for a Formula 1 seat with the main team in 2026. Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko expressed agreement with Hadjar's belief that the upcoming 2026 regulatory changes, which will introduce significantly different car dynamics, could create an ideal environment for a rookie to transition into a top-tier team. These new regulations will feature ground-effect cars that demand a different driving approach and greater mental engagement with recovery systems, potentially leveling the playing field for new talent. This perspective from Red Bull's senior management indicates a clear direction in their future driver selection process.

Despite this promising outlook, questions persist regarding Hadjar's immediate readiness for a leading F1 team after only one season in the sport. Hadjar himself acknowledges the need to enhance his technical comprehension to provide more precise feedback to his team. Furthermore, Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane, while impressed with Hadjar's qualifying performances, suggests that greater consistency in this area would be beneficial. Permane notes that Hadjar has shown flashes of brilliance, such as securing a fourth-place grid spot in Zandvoort, but has occasionally struggled under pressure to finalize strong laps in critical sessions during his rookie year. Marko, however, believes that these are simply matters of experience, confident that Hadjar will progressively improve with more time in the car, particularly given his strong working relationship with his French engineer, Pierre Hamelin.

Hadjar's journey highlights the critical balance between raw talent and the refinement needed for Formula 1 success. His strong foundation, combined with targeted development in technical understanding and qualifying consistency, will be crucial as he aims for a coveted Red Bull seat. The confidence placed in him by Red Bull's leadership, despite areas for growth, underscores his significant potential and the team's long-term vision. The path to Formula 1 is demanding, requiring not just speed but also a deep analytical approach and mental fortitude. Hadjar’s commitment to self-improvement and his ongoing progression will ultimately determine his place among the sport’s elite.

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