2025 Azerbaijan GP FP2: Hamilton on top in Baku

Ferrari sent a clear signal in Friday’s second practice for the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton leading team-mate Charles Leclerc in a commanding 1-2. Hamilton’s 1:41.293 lap put him 0.074s clear of Leclerc, while Mercedes locked in behind with George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, as McLaren endured a bruising session that saw Lando Norris hit the wall and Oscar Piastri also brush the barriers.

The hour began with drivers pushing harder than in FP1, and the run-off zones quickly saw action. Liam Lawson ran deep at Turn 15, while Hamilton himself overshot Turn 7 in the opening laps. Piastri—who had lost significant track time earlier in the day to power unit repairs—was one of the first to bolt on the soft tyres, clocking a 1:43.307 to take the early lead. But that benchmark didn’t last long. As more rubber went down and the C6 compound came into play, the times tumbled. Norris briefly returned to the top with a 1:42.199, only for Leclerc to remind everyone why he has taken the last four poles in Baku, becoming the first driver under 1m 42s with a 1:41.786.

Formula One History Recommends

• 

  2025 Azerbaijan GP FP1: Norris leads McLaren one-two

• 

  2025 Azerbaijan GP FP3: Norris strikes back in Baku

• 

  2025 Azerbaijan GP Qualifying: Max Verstappen Grabs Pole in Baku

• 

  2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Hamilton, however, was biding his time. Running initially on the mediums, he first slotted into second before punching in a 1:41.543 around the 20-minute mark—an ominous sign for teams weighing tyre choices ahead of qualifying. Then came the turning point of the session: Norris clipped the barrier on exit of Turn 4, damaging his left-rear suspension. Though he limped back to the pits, his McLaren would not reappear. Moments later, Piastri also struck trouble, grazing the Tecpro at Turn 15. While the Australian was cleared to continue after checks, his car never looked as settled, and he would later be placed under investigation for a yellow-flag infringement.

The late exchanges turned into a Ferrari duel. Leclerc briefly reclaimed top spot with a 1:41.367, only for Hamilton to strike back with the day’s fastest lap, a 1:41.293 on softs with just over 10 minutes to run. Russell ended “best of the rest” in third, 0.477s off the pace, ahead of Antonelli, who impressed again in fourth. Haas rookie Ollie Bearman slotted into fifth, continuing his eye-catching weekend, ahead of Verstappen’s Red Bull, Lawson’s Racing Bull, and Esteban Ocon in the second Haas. Alex Albon secured ninth for Williams, with Norris clinging to the top 10 despite his early end.

Behind them, Sainz delivered another strong run for Williams in 11th, ahead of the bruised Piastri in 12th. Hadjar, Tsunoda, and Bortoleto filled the midfield, followed by Gasly, Stroll, Hülkenberg, and Alonso. Franco Colapinto rounded out the field for Alpine, almost two seconds adrift of Hamilton’s headline time.

For Ferrari, a one-two was the ideal way to begin a crucial Baku weekend. For McLaren, it was a reminder of how fine the margins are in the 2025 F1 World Championship. With Norris parked in the garage and Piastri under investigation, the Constructors’ leaders left FP2 on the back foot—while Hamilton and Leclerc looked every bit ready to seize momentum heading into Saturday.

2025 Azerbaijan GP FP2 Results

2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2, 19 September 2025