F1 Baku: Norris Leads Verstappen, Piastri Battle Weather

September 20, 2025 David Thompson - Sports Editor Sports

Here’s a summary of the provided text, focusing on the key events of Free practice 3 for‌ the Azerbaijan Grand Prix:

*⁢ Lando Norris topped‍ the session: He set a fastest time of 1m 41.223s, beating Max Verstappen by 0.222s and Oscar Piastri.
* Challenging Conditions: The track was dry, but overnight rain had washed away ⁣rubber, and high winds made braking arduous.
* ⁣ Early Issues: Ollie Bearman was the first to use the run-off area, citing the wind as ⁣a factor. Several drivers initially stayed in the garages.
* McLaren Enhancement: Both Norris and Piastri, who had ‌difficult Fridays, immediately used soft tires‍ when⁣ they went​ out.
* Leclerc’s Pace: Charles Leclerc initially set ​the pace, but ultimately was surpassed by Norris. He‍ had⁢ a few moments, including running deep into braking zones and brushing the wall.
* Other Incidents: Lewis‌ Hamilton ran off track, Liam Lawson spun 360 degrees, and track‌ conditions gradually improved throughout the session.
* Times Improving: ⁤Lap ‌times decreased as the track conditions improved in the final 30 minutes.