Practice 3 Report - Norris sets the pace in blustery final practice

Lando Norris
© McLaren

Lando Norris ended Formula 1’s final practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on top, edging Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in a session shaped by strong winds and frequent errors around Baku’s streets.

The McLaren driver produced a 1m41.223s late on, setting the fastest time of the weekend. Verstappen, after brushing the wall on his soft-tyre push, was 0.222s slower at 1m41.445s for Red Bull. Piastri salvaged third with a 1m41.477s after a scruffy run that included a slide at Turn 4 and an off at Turn 1.

Ferrari showed flashes of pace, though both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made mistakes. Hamilton recovered from a spin at Turn 15 to briefly lead before ending fourth on 1m41.499s, while Leclerc—who has taken pole at Baku in the last four years—could only manage 10th with 1m42.209s after several untidy laps.

Mercedes split fortunes as Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed in fifth with a 1m41.876s, building confidence after a difficult Monza. George Russell reported “locking up at every corner” following set-up tweaks, but still managed sixth at 1m41.964s.

Williams looked competitive with Alex Albon seventh on 1m41.983s and Carlos Sainz 13th in 1m42.486s. Haas also featured strongly with Oliver Bearman leading early in the session and ended eighth on 1m41.985s, while Esteban Ocon placed 17th on 1m42.868s.

Liam Lawson survived a 360-degree spin in the gusty Turn 15 to put his RB ninth on 1m42.146s, just ahead of Leclerc. Team-mate Isack Hadjar followed in 11th at 1m42.267s.

Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg (12th, 1m42.428s) and Gabriel Bortoleto (18th, 1m43.060s) split the Alpines of Franco Colapinto (15th, 1m42.789s) and Pierre Gasly (19th, 1m43.322s). Fernando Alonso struggled for grip in the Aston Martin, winding up 14th with 1m42.591s, while Lance Stroll closed the order on mediums in 20th with 1m43.350s.

The session was held in cool but windy conditions from the Caspian Sea, with crosswinds blowing autumn leaves onto the track. The blustery weather amplified the challenge of Baku’s 6km layout, leading to multiple offs and scrappy laps across the field.

With Norris, Verstappen, Piastri and Hamilton separated by just 0.276s, qualifying later today promises to be finely poised. The session begins at 16:00 local time, where Ferrari will hope to rediscover its Friday form and Red Bull seeks to counter McLaren’s momentum.