Second Practice in Baku saw Ferrari take the spotlight, with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest lap at 1:41.293. He edged out teammate Charles Leclerc by just 0.074 seconds, giving the team a confidence boost ahead of Qualifying. George Russell managed third place for Mercedes, while rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed by slotting into fourth, hinting at strong race pace potential for the weekend.
McLaren, who had dominated FP1, struggled to find rhythm in FP2. Lando Norris hit the barrier at Turn Four on his seventh lap, damaging his left rear and ending his session prematurely, leaving him 10th fastest. Oscar Piastri also had a minor off at Turn 15, which disrupted his soft-tyre runs and saw him finish down in 12th. The incidents highlighted the fine margins and challenges of Baku’s street circuit.
Several teams used the session to focus on race simulations and tyre strategy. Oliver Bearman in the Haas impressed by finishing in the top five, while Max Verstappen managed competitive laps but could not break into the leading duo. FP2 gave teams a clearer picture of car balance, with a mix of long-run and qualifying pace providing valuable data for setup adjustments.
The session confirmed Ferrari’s momentum in Baku, while McLaren needs to refine both setup and reliability before Qualifying. With the top drivers separated by mere tenths, the stage is set for a tight shootout when the grid is determined later in the day. FP2 also showed that even small mistakes at the city circuit can have a significant impact on track position and confidence.
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Qualifying – F2 2025 – Azerbaijan FIA Formula 2 Championship
