Lando Norris set FP1’s benchmark at 1:42.704 around Baku’s walls. Oscar Piastri followed, 0.310 seconds behind his teammate. Charles Leclerc ranked third, 0.552 off the session leader. George Russell trailed Leclerc by only 0.001 in fourth. Those gaps framed a tidy McLaren start to Friday.
Red Flag, Kerb Repairs, and Opportunistic Fixes
Running was paused for roughly 25 minutes for kerb repairs after debris was found. The stoppage trimmed programs but helped McLaren troubleshoot Piastri’s power unit. Piastri clipped the Turn 15 barrier, yet still completed 14 laps. Max Verstappen also had an off-track moment during the disrupted hour. FP1’s rhythm changed, but the order remained McLaren first and second.
Midfield Flashes and Early Incidents
Williams’ Alex Albon (66.98) punched into the upper order behind Russell. Yuki Tsunoda (50.98) slotted next, giving Red Bull junior hardware a spotlight. Verstappen ended seventh after his excursion and limited rhythm. Lewis Hamilton (5.00), now with Ferrari, kissed the barriers and damaged his front wing. The top ten closed with Carlos Sainz (66.98), Liam Lawson (50.98), and Isack Hadjar (50.98).
What the Times Really Suggests
McLaren’s single-lap pace looked immediate on a still-grippy track. Ferrari hovered within reach, despite Hamilton’s brush and Leclerc’s deficit. Long-run reads remain thin after the lengthy red flag. Set up swings before FP2 could reshuffle this pecking order. For now, McLaren holds first rights to clean air.
The Weekend’s Next Checkpoints
FP2 will test tyre life on a cooling street surface. Qualifying rewards bravery through Turn 15 and the castle complex. The DRS effect down the kilometre-long straight magnifies two games. Parc fermé decisions then lock trajectories toward Sunday. Baku rarely keeps Friday’s script unchanged until lights out.
