Lando Norris Leads Practice: Azerbaijan GP Results
- * Lando Norris (McLaren) set the fastest time in the first practice session with a 1m 43.747s on soft compound tyres.
- * Drivers were swift to get out on track after a two-week break.
- * Lando Norris: Asked to return to the pits to have a component cover removed.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – First Practice Session Report
Here’s a summary of the key facts from the provided text:
Key Headlines:
* Lando Norris (McLaren) set the fastest time in the first practice session with a 1m 43.747s on soft compound tyres.
* Oscar Piastri (McLaren) was second fastest.
* Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was third fastest.
* A red flag interrupted the session due to damage to the kerbing at Turn 16 caused by Carlos Sainz (Williams).
Detailed Breakdown:
1. Session Start & Conditions:
* The session began at 1230 local time.
* Weather conditions were cloudy but dry.
* Drivers were swift to get out on track after a two-week break.
2. Driver Issues & Incidents:
* Lando Norris: Asked to return to the pits to have a component cover removed.
* Oscar Piastri: Instructed to “back off” and “avoid full load” – later returned to the session after mechanics addressed a power unit issue.
* Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber): Went off track at Turn 3.
* Alex Albon (Williams): Lost a mirror.
* George Russell (Mercedes): Reported smelling “burning” and was battling illness and “a serious amount of bottoming”.
* Carlos Sainz (Williams): Caused the red flag by running over a kerb at Turn 16, damaging it.
3.Timing Summary (before Red Flag):
The following drivers were at the top of the timesheets before the red flag:
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | lando Norris | McLaren | 1m 43.747s |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | Time not specified |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | Time not specified |
| 4 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Time not specified |
4. Session resumption:
* The session resumed after approximately 20 minutes while marshals repaired the kerb.
* Drivers continued with their planned programmes.
* Piastri returned to the track.
Data Attributes (for potential use):
* <div data-event="practice-session" data-gp="Azerbaijan" data-session-type="FP1">...</div>
* <span data-driver="Lando Norris" data-team="McLaren" data-fastest-lap="1m 43.747s">...</span>
* <span data-incident-driver="Carlos Sainz" data-incident-location="Turn 16" data-incident-type="Kerb Damage">...</span>